Pragyan Ojha calls out Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli for Duleep Trophy snub

Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha feels that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should have played in the first round of the Duleep Trophy 2024. Pragyan Ojha stated that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could have prepared well for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh with the Duleep Trophy.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are on a rare break from cricket after the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The selectors decided to rest the veteran batting duo ahead of the upcoming red-ball schedule. The Rohit Sharma-led team will play 10 Test matches against various teams in the next few months.

Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Should've Played - Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should have played in the Duleep Trophy 2024. Ojha mentioned that it would have helped them regain match fitness for the busy Test season. He added that the Duleep Trophy would have provided valuable practice and better preparation.

“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 Ojha in a chat with Insidesport.

Rohit and Virat were last seen in action during the ODI series against Sri Lanka, which the Men in Blue lost 0-2. Notably, Kohli also missed the five-match home Test series against England earlier this year. He registered scores of 46 and 12 in his last Test match against South Africa in January 2024.

You Only Have To Play - Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha emphasized that match fitness is different from regular fitness training. He added that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would benefit from playing domestic games. Ojha noted that playing a full day and spending time in the field helps players prepare better for Test matches.

“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," Ojha added.

"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,” he concluded.

Earlier, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah revealed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were rested from the Duleep Trophy to prevent injuries ahead of the Test season. He added that international players in Australia and England also do not participate in domestic cricket.

The Men in Blue will take on Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 19 to 23. India will also play a three-match home Test series against New Zealand in October.

Also read: Akash Deep seals his spot in India's Test squad vs Bangladesh with a 9-wicket performance in Duleep Trophy 2024