BCCI mandate ignored? Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli among 4 India legends set to skip Duleep Trophy

Senior India players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will not take any part in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which will mark the start of India's domestic season as well. Along with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin will also not play in the domestic tournament.

Duleep Trophy 2024 is set to begin on September 5. Four teams will take part in the domestic red-ball competition and the selection committee will select those four teams. Many high-profile players will take part in the tournament, however, it is confirmed that the above-mentioned players will not play.

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Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin will not participate in Duleep Trophy 2024

Earlier, it was assumed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play Duleep Trophy in order to prepare themselves for the home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. However, given India's grueling Test schedule which also includes a five-match away Test series against Australia, both are likely to be rested.

The absence of these players were confirmed by a report by ESPNCricinfo. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will join Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in missing the tournament keeping the extensive home season and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in mind.

India is set to play two Tests against Bangladesh next month which will be followed by a three-match Test series against New Zealand. Afterwards, India will travel to Australia for the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia.

Other Indian players will feature in the Duleep Trophy

According to the new policy and regulations by BCCI, contracted players are especially required to play domestic cricket when they are not on national duty other than injury. However, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are not required to follow the rule given as the board is looking to manage their workload.

As per the regulations, other Indian international players like Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul will be playing in the Duleep Trophy 2024. The matches for the tournament are likely to be held in Anantapur but one game could be played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru due to some logistical reasons.

Mohammed Shami likely to feature in Duleep Trophy

Meanwhile, in a piece of good news for Indian cricket, fast bowler Mohammed Shami is closer to making a comeback into the Indian team. According to the reports, Shami has already started bowling in the nets.

The right-arm quick is in contention to play in the Duleep Trophy to prove his fitness for the Test series against Bangladesh. Shami is a key player in India's fast bowling line-up, especially in red-ball cricket. He will have a crucial role to play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to be played later this year. He has a terrific record in Australia and is a genuine wicket-taker in the longest format of the game.

Mohammed Shami's last international match was the ODI World Cup final in 2023 against Australia, where India suffered a heartbreaking defeat. After that, he went through surgery which also put him out of contention for this year's IPL and the T20 World Cup 2024.