In the wake of India’s humiliating 0-3 defeat to New Zealand in the recent Test series, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has raised concerns about the form of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, urging them to take a page out of Rishabh Pant’s book when it comes to the importance of domestic cricket. Kaif’s comments have sparked a conversation about the crucial role domestic cricket plays in preparing players for the challenges of international cricket, especially with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) just around the corner.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Struggles in New Zealand
Both Kohli and Rohit, two of India’s most established batting stars, endured a tough run in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand. Over six innings, Kohli managed only 93 runs, while Rohit finished with 95 runs. In a series where India was outclassed by New Zealand, both senior batsmen’s underperformance has raised alarms for the Indian management.
With the BGT against Australia fast approaching, the Indian team management is already facing questions about the form of their key players. It is not just the runs that are concerning; it is also the approach and mindset of the players heading into one of the most important Test series for India in recent years.
Mohammad Kaif’s Bold Statement: Rishabh Pant’s Domestic Cricket Example
Mohammad Kaif, who made his name as one of India’s best fielders and a crucial middle-order batsman, took to social media to remind Kohli and Rohit of the importance of playing domestic cricket. Kaif pointed out how Rishabh Pant’s inclusion in the Test squad during India’s historic tour of Australia in 2020-21 was facilitated by a solid performance in domestic cricket.
Pant, who was not initially part of India’s white-ball teams for the tour, was only included in the Test squad as a backup wicketkeeper behind Wriddhiman Saha. However, after India’s stunning collapse in Adelaide (36 all out), Pant was called into the playing XI from the second Test onwards. His memorable counter-attacking knock of 89 in the final Test at Brisbane played a pivotal role in India’s historic series win, yet Kaif highlighted that Pant’s success was largely due to his time spent playing domestic cricket, including a match where he scored a century in a practice match.
Kaif’s message was clear: Kohli and Rohit should take a cue from Pant’s dedication to the domestic circuit, especially as they gear up for the high-pressure BGT in Australia.
Kaif’s Insight: The Role of Domestic Cricket in Shaping Players
Kaif’s comments underscore a key point that has often been overlooked in modern-day cricket: the need for international cricketers to remain sharp by playing domestic cricket. Domestic cricket offers players the opportunity to face a wide variety of conditions and opponents, which is crucial for their development and match fitness.
When Kohli and Rohit skipped the Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic tournament, before the Bangladesh series earlier this year, it raised eyebrows among cricket fans and experts. This decision to miss out on domestic cricket has led to speculation about whether the senior players’ lack of match practice contributed to their struggles in the New Zealand series.
Kaif, who has seen both domestic and international cricket at the highest level, stressed that playing in domestic competitions can give players the necessary match preparation they need. This is especially important in long Test series, where players must be ready to face challenging conditions and tough opposition.
India’s Decision to Cancel Intra-Squad Match: Gambhir’s Focus on Nets
Meanwhile, the Indian management has recently canceled an intra-squad match scheduled between the national team and India A, which was supposed to take place from November 15-17 at the WACA in Australia. According to reports, head coach Gautam Gambhir made this decision to give the batters more time in the nets, believing that they would benefit more from focused practice rather than an intra-squad match.
This decision has raised further questions about India’s preparation strategy for the BGT. While some believe that the time in the nets will help players like Kohli and Rohit get into form, others feel that a competitive intra-squad match would have been more beneficial in providing match readiness.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Indian Stars
The comments made by Mohammad Kaif serve as a timely reminder for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and other senior players in the Indian team about the value of domestic cricket. As India looks to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the importance of match preparation, mental toughness, and consistent performance will be critical.
Kaif’s message is simple: even the biggest stars in world cricket, like Kohli and Rohit, can benefit from spending more time playing domestic cricket. This ensures they stay sharp, maintain match fitness, and avoid the kind of lapses that were evident in India’s recent 0-3 Test loss to New Zealand.
As India prepares for the challenges ahead, including the highly anticipated BGT, players like Kohli, Rohit, and others would do well to heed Kaif’s advice, ensuring they are fully prepared for the tough battles that lie ahead.
