Sunil Gavaskar attacks Jay Shah over Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's Duleep Trophy absence

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has voiced concerns over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's exclusion from the Duleep Trophy 2024 squads. Gavaskar reckoned that a long gap can affect the batters' muscle memory and they might not be at their best when they come back.

Recently, the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar chose four squads for the Duleep Trophy, which is set to begin on September 5. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah were given some added rest while other Indian regulars like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja were selected to play in the domestic tournament.

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Jay Shah clears why Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been rested

When asked about the exclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, BCCI secretary Jay Shah explained that these players have a risk of getting injured ahead of a long red-ball season.

“It doesn’t make sense to add to Virat and Rohit’s load by asking them to play domestic cricket. They run the risk of getting injured,” Jay Shah had said to TOI.

Sunil Gavaskar unhappy with the selectors for not choosing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

While writing in his column for the Mid-Day, Sunil Gavaskar felt that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will go into the Bangladesh Test series without match practice and that is likely going to hurt them

“The selectors have not picked the skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the Duleep Trophy so they will most likely go into the Bangladesh Test series without much match practice,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the mid-day.

The former India captain reckoned that the non-selection of Jasprit Bumrah was understandable given his history of long-term injuries. But according to him, Kohli and Rohit should have played as the long-term gap will weaken their muscle memory and they will need time to get back into the groove.

"When there’s a longish gap, then the muscle memory weakens" - Sunil Gavaskar

“While it’s understandable that somebody like Jasprit Bumrah with his delicate back needs to be handled with care, the batters could have done with some batting time out in the middle," Gavaskar wrote.

"Once a player hits the mid-thirties in any sport, then regular competition will help him maintain the high standards he has set. When there’s a longish gap, then the muscle memory weakens somewhat and to get back to the high standards from earlier is not easy,” he added.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two pillars of Indian cricket and it is clear that the selectors do not want to risk them before any big tour. Both will be required to play key roles if India are to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year.

Earlier this year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah had stated that all the players need to be available for their domestic teams during the off-season except Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.

The Duleep Trophy 2024 will see a no. of international names making their appearance. Rishabh Pant will be making his first red-ball appearance since the horrific car accident in 2022. It will be an opportunity for him to get back into the groove for the longest format.