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Legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar has expressed concern about the exclusion of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the Duleep Trophy 2024 squads. Gavaskar warned that a prolonged break could disrupt the batters’ muscle memory and affect their performance upon return.
The selection panel, headed by Ajit Agarkar, recently announced the four squads for the Duleep Trophy, which starts on September 5. While regulars like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja were included, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have been given additional rest.
Jay Shah explains the reasons behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s rest from the Duleep Trophy.
When questioned about the omission of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, BCCI secretary Jay Shah clarified that these players are being rested to mitigate the risk of injury ahead of an extended red-ball season.
“It doesn’t make sense to add to Virat and Rohit’s load by asking them to play domestic cricket. They run the risk of getting injured,” Jay Shah had said to TOI.
Sunil Gavaskar expresses disappointment with the selectors for excluding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the squad.
In his Mid-Day column, Sunil Gavaskar expressed concern that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will enter the Bangladesh Test series without sufficient match practice, which could potentially hinder their performance.
“The selectors have not picked the skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the Duleep Trophy so they will most likely go into the Bangladesh Test series without much match practice,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the mid-day.
The former India captain acknowledged that Jasprit Bumrah’s non-selection was understandable due to his history of long-term injuries. However, he believed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should have been included, as their extended break could impair their muscle memory, requiring additional time to regain their form.
“While it’s understandable that somebody like Jasprit Bumrah with his delicate back needs to be handled with care, the batters could have done with some batting time out in the middle,” Gavaskar wrote.
“Once a player hits the mid-thirties in any sport, then regular competition will help him maintain the high standards he has set. When there’s a longish gap, then the muscle memory weakens somewhat and to get back to the high standards from earlier is not easy,” he added.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are foundational figures in Indian cricket, and it’s evident that the selectors are cautious about risking them before any major tour. Their contributions will be crucial as India aims to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year.
Earlier this year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah mentioned that all players should participate in domestic cricket during the off-season, with the exception of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.
The Duleep Trophy 2024 will feature several international stars, including Rishabh Pant, who will be making his first red-ball appearance since the severe car accident in 2022. This tournament presents a significant opportunity for him to regain his form in the longest format.
