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Virat Kohli, who is one of the greatest batters of all time, last played a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi in 2012.
DDCA secretary wants Virat Kohli to play domestic cricket for Delhi. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma wants legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli to take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi if and when he is available. Kohli, who is one of the greatest cricketers of all time, last played a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi in 2012. The 36-year-old right-handed batter is included in Delhi’s probable squad for the last two rounds of the Ranji Trophy along with Rishabh Pant, but there is no official update about his participation.
“Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway,” DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma was quoted as saying by The Indian Express on Tuesday.
“Virat should take inspiration from the Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket whenever he is available. In Mumbai, there has always been a culture where their Indian players turn up for Ranji matches whenever available. It is missing in the North, especially in Delhi.”
According to Sharma, BCCI has asked Indian players to participate in domestic cricket, and Virat should also play at least one match for Delhi.
“The BCCI has also mentioned players should participate in domestic cricket. I feel Virat and Rishabh should play at least one game, but I don’t think they will,” he added.
DDCA president Rohan Jaitely also feels ‘fit and available’ Kohli and Pant should play in the Ranji Trophy but added that there are other factors as well.
“They should, but there are too many moving parts. With the amount of cricket that they are playing, to be at the top of their fitness, they have to be at the top of their fitness. Multiple factors have to be looked at also.”
He, however, feels that playing in domestic cricket should be a top priority for all cricketers.
“It is exceptionally important to participate in the domestic tournament. If on national duty, obviously one cannot participate, but otherwise, they should. Since the players are managed by the NCA and the national selectors, there are multiple things, based on their load management, etc. But they would keep domestic cricket on their priority list, which is exceptionally important,” he said.
According to Jaitley, who was reappointed as DDCA president last month, Kohli’s presence in the Delhi camp can leave a long-lasting impact on upcoming players.
“You see, it is exceptional because it is not about the game; it is about what you pick up also from the experience of a cricketer. Sharing a dressing room and being a part of a camp with the likes of Virat is huge. I am also a lawyer, so when you assist a senior advocate or you are working on an important matter, you may not be arguing it, but you will learn a lot in that process,” he added.
