Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has stirred the cricketing world with his recent comments on the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the 2024 Duleep Trophy. According to Raina, the participation of these marquee players in the domestic tournament would have been beneficial for both the players and the Indian cricket team as a whole.
Suresh Raina’s Perspective
Raina’s comments come at a time when India is gearing up for a crucial Test series against Bangladesh and Australia. He believes that playing in the Duleep Trophy would have given Kohli and Sharma valuable match practice ahead of these important fixtures.
“Yes, they should’ve played, you see we haven’t played red-ball cricket ever since the IPL ended. Since we’re heading towards a crucial Test series, one must play 4-day cricket and get used to how the wicket will behave on Day 4. I think they’re mature enough when they will regroup for 4-5 days and start practising. Sometimes, family time is also important,” Raina told Sports Tak.
Senior players like Kohli and Sharma have a significant influence on the team. Their presence in domestic tournaments can boost the morale of younger players and provide them with an opportunity to learn from the best. Moreover, it helps in maintaining a competitive environment within the team.
Raina emphasized that Kohli and Sharma’s participation would have been a morale booster for the younger players and would have helped them understand the nuances of red-ball cricket better.
Preparing for Upcoming Series
India is set to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in September, followed by a challenging series against Australia. With important points up for grabs in the World Test Championship (WTC), Raina believes that playing in the Duleep Trophy would have been an ideal preparation for this series.
“Sometimes, family time is also important, but when they will play in Kanpur where the wicket will be solid in October and won’t spin much as there will be a dew factor. The ground is near river Ganga and hence there will be cold mornings. The weather will be gloomy hence they will need to tackle that but the Indian team is very strong,” Raina added.
The Bigger Picture
While Kohli and Sharma’s absence from the Duleep Trophy has raised eyebrows, it’s essential to consider the bigger picture. Both players have been given special permission to miss the tournament, possibly to manage their workload and avoid burnout. Kohli is currently in the UK spending time with his family, while Sharma has also opted to stay away from action. Their return for the Test series against Bangladesh is highly anticipated, and they are expected to play a crucial role in India’s campaign.
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