Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli responsible for BCCI’s strict enforcement of domestic cricket participation rules

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Laff launched a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Indian board is forcing Indian players to play domestic cricket because of the poor form of the team’s batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Luff said.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made themselves available for the Ranji Trophy after a poor showing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While Rohit will play against Jammu and Kashmir in the Mumbai Ranji, Kohli will play for Delhi in the match against Railways starting on January 30.

Rohit and Kohli will be key to India’s chances in the upcoming Champions Trophy. While Rohit is the captain of the team, Kohli can be blessed at number 3. After being assigned to domestic cricket, they get into the white ball mold to prepare for the Champions Trophy.

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Is BCCI forcing every Indian player to play Ranji Trophy?

Speaking to IANS, Rashid Laff said that the packed international calendar would not allow his players to be available for domestic cricket. According to him, due to the poor form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the other players have also been targeted.

“The players don’t have time to play domestic cricket because of the busy international calendar. They have to play domestic cricket if they have to, but with Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli) being targeted, they are forcing everyone to play domestic cricket,” said Laffey.

Apart from Rohit and Kohli, other players also participated in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant are some of those current national players. KL Rahul will play for Karnataka in the next match from January 30.

Rashid Laff wants Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ready for Champions Trophy

Rashid Lough also feels that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have taken India to the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup 2023 finals without ever playing domestic cricket. He wants both players to focus on white-ball cricket for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

“Barring Sachin Tendulkar, not many others have played domestic cricket in the past. Rohit and Virat won the T20 World Cup and reached the ODI World Cup final without playing domestic cricket,” Luff said.

“Next they play the ODI series against England, so the white ball is a completely different game, so they have to prepare for that,” added the former Pakistan wicketkeeper.

A key part of the Indian ODI team

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain key components of India’s ODI squad despite their poor Test form. Both were key to India’s successful run to the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Kohli and Rohit were the two best run scorers in that tournament. The upcoming Champions Trophy will be crucial and may even decide their future. Their experience will be valuable for India as they aim to lift the trophy.