All-time greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been given a breather from the ongoing Duleep Trophy, which is among the headlines due to the star-studded squads for Round 1. While several other key Test batters like KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant are participating, the absence of India’s two most prolific batters has been a big talking point.
Rohit-Kohli could’ve regained match fitness via Duleep Trophy: Ojha
Former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha has now weighed in on the matter, stating that Rohit and Kohli should have played in the Duleep Trophy to regain match fitness ahead of the packed Test season. Ojha, who has played alongside both Rohit and Kohli, believes that the tournament would have provided them with valuable match practice and helped them prepare better for the challenges that lie ahead.
“Absolutely (if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should’ve played the Duleep Trophy). If you ask me, anybody who is going to play red ball cricket should play a little bit of domestic cricket. Because it really prepares you well,” said Pragyan Ojha in an exclusive chat with Insidesport.
Here’s what Ojha had to say about the matter
“It is not about going and getting a 50 or a 100 or a double hundred. It’s more about getting those match fitness. Because match fitness is totally different from what normal day-to-day fitness you do. And for that, you only have to play. Like standing in the field for a day or playing the whole day. Or maybe just you have an off day in the dressing room. So, these things prepare you well for the game. I think that every time a senior player plays, he is also at the same level as a new player. Because that match fitness requires an upgradation. That requires validation. So, I think for that, I would say Rohit and Virat could have played.”
Ojha’s opinion echoes that of several other former cricketers, including Sanjay Manjrekar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Suresh Raina. These legends have also expressed their surprise at the decision to rest Rohit and Kohli, given their crucial roles in the Indian Test team.
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