(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] In fresh comments on domestic cricket vs IPL discourse, India captain Rohit Sharma again was very vocal in his opinion, asking players to prioritise the former.
Rohit wants the Indian players, unless unfit, to make themselves available for domestic matches. He cited the level of competition in the Ranji Trophy 2024 semi-finals, emphasising that matches like these form the core of Indian cricket.
“There has been talk about this for a long, long time. That when the players are available, they’ve got to make themselves available to play domestic cricket, unless they have been given a certificate from the medical group that they want to be rested or will not be taking part in domestic cricket. But if you’re available, if you’re fit, if you’re fine, I think it is important that we go and play that. It is not for just a few cricketers, it is for everyone to make sure that whenever you’re available and fine, you should be able to play domestic cricket,” Rohit said as quoted to the reporters on Wednesday.
“I think it is important. You saw the Ranji Trophy semi-final that was played this week. I watched Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, obviously there was a very interesting game happening today as well, I think Vidarbha won. When games like that happen, you see the quality and everything coming into display for everyone to watch. I think it is important that we give importance to domestic cricket, which I think is the core of Indian cricket,” he added.
This debate started ever since Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer allegedly showed their restistance to play Ranji Trophy matches. While Kishan was on a mental fatigue break and returned to action in the DY Patil T20 Cup, Iyer opted out of a few of the Mumbai games, citing lack of full fitness. However, he was declared fit by the NCA. He then played in Mumbai’s semi-final bout against Tamil Nadu.
Both these players were punished as BCCI made examples out of them by cutting off their names from the central contract list.