Mumbai: The ongoing discourse regarding the significance of participating in domestic cricket versus managing player workloads, particularly the preference for match practice over simulated sessions, remains a contentious issue in contemporary cricket. Currently, Indian cricket is facing this dilemma, as prominent players who will not participate in the forthcoming five T20I matches against England have been encouraged to engage in the next round of Ranji Trophy matches commencing on January 23. This initiative, led by the selection committee, targets key batsmen who have struggled with form and confidence during the recent Test series in Australia, where technical flaws have emerged.

Should the strategy, which applies to all contracted players except fast bowlers, be enacted, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are expected to represent Delhi against Saurashtra, featuring Ravindra Jadeja in Rajkot. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal would play for Mumbai against Jammu & Kashmir in Mumbai, and KL Rahul is set to compete for Karnataka against Punjab, where Shubman Gill will also participate in Bengaluru.

"Provided they are available and committed to playing red-ball cricket, it is essential for everyone to engage in domestic cricket," stated India head coach Gautam Gambhir following the defeat in the Sydney Test.

In light of a lengthy Test season that did not yield favourable outcomes, coupled with a month-long ODI series commencing on February 6 and a two-month IPL season starting on March 21, it remains uncertain whether all players will opt for the domestic circuit.

As schedules have become increasingly packed for players participating in all formats, and with the IPL window expanding, there is a growing concern among players regarding the risk of injury when competing in domestic matches. Notably, Rohit and Kohli have only participated in a single Ranji match since their international debuts.

According to a board official familiar with discussions among selectors, this initiative is not a mandate. However, failure to participate in the Ranji Trophy without legitimate medical or fitness justifications may impact their future selection for the Indian team.

The BCCI has previously demonstrated a commitment to taking decisive action. Last year, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan lost their central contracts after disregarding recommendations to participate in domestic cricket. However, it is improbable that a similar situation will arise with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rohit's future in Test cricket remains uncertain, while there is a prevailing sentiment within the board that if Kohli wishes to continue playing, he should return to his former style of batting, which may necessitate a return to fundamental techniques.

A comparable strategy was proposed for both Rohit and Kohli to participate in the Duleep Trophy last September to aid their preparation for the upcoming Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand. However, after the senior players requested to be excused, citing the need for rest, the board did not pursue the matter further. Both players faced challenges against spin bowling during the last two Tests against New Zealand, which featured turning pitches. Kohli, in particular, entered Test cricket with limited experience in red-ball matches, having missed the home Tests against England in early 2024 for personal reasons.

A BCCI official remarked, "There is no substitute for spending time at the crease to rebuild confidence. It is the responsibility of the player, regardless of experience, to recognize this."

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill have not been considered for the T20I series against England. They would have been in contention had they not been likely selections for the Champions Trophy.

Jaiswal's standing has risen significantly, making him a likely candidate for the team. Although Pant and Gill have not convincingly argued for their inclusion in the T20 format, the squad selected for the England series, which falls between the Tests and ODIs against Australia, aims to establish a broader foundation for the T20 World Cup next year. This is reflected in the selection of Dhruv Jurel as a backup for Sanju Samson and the decision to extend the opportunity for top-order batter Abhishek Sharma.

With the Sydney Test match having ended on Jan 5, the view within BCCI is that a fortnight’s rest is enough time for the younger players, to gain some crucial match practice in first-class cricket and that it may also prove beneficial to them in the white-ball season ahead, rather than relying on a handful of net sessions, while heading into the ODI series.

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