Sunil Gavaskar’s Unfiltered Take on Rohit, Virat’s Ranji Outing… “Only To Tick Box”

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and other Test players boost domestic cricket with their presence, but Gavaskar hopes it’s more than a box-ticking exercise.

February 3, 2025: With top Test players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and others turning out for their state teams in the Ranji Trophy, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed optimism about the move while cautioning against it being a mere formality. Writing in his column for Mid-day on Sunday, Gavaskar emphasized the importance of India’s star players actively participating in domestic cricket to inspire and uplift the National Championship.

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“The India team players may have participated in the Ranji Trophy simply to tick the box of ‘must-dos’ that the BCCI had insisted on, but their presence brought new energy to the tournament,” Gavaskar noted.

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Impact on Domestic Cricket

Since the second leg of the Ranji Trophy began on January 23, fans have witnessed Indian cricket’s finest in action. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj have joined their state teams, creating a ripple of excitement across stadiums.

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While acknowledging that these players might not have achieved great personal success in the tournament, Gavaskar highlighted their value to the event.
“Their very presence would have enthused their teammates and opponents. Meeting and spending time with them would provide invaluable learning opportunities for younger players. Imagine the confidence boost for bowlers who managed to dismiss batters like Kohli or Sharma,” he remarked.

Fans Flock to Stadiums

The presence of stars like Rohit and Kohli also drew crowds. Over 20,000 fans attended the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi to watch Kohli in action, demonstrating the enduring appeal of cricket’s biggest names. Gavaskar observed that such star power could inspire young fans to pursue excellence in their own careers.
“Even if a fraction of those spectators find inspiration and achieve exceptional success, that would be a cherry on top,” he added.

BCCI’s Domestic Cricket Mandate

The return of Test players to the Ranji Trophy follows a policy by the BCCI requiring them to play domestic matches when available. This directive came after India’s 3-1 series loss in Australia, emphasizing the need for players to reconnect with domestic cricket.

Gavaskar also touched on the nostalgia that stars might experience when reuniting with their domestic teams.
“Meeting their former teammates might rekindle fond memories of camaraderie and their journey to the top. Such moments can remind them of their roots and keep the spark alive,” he reflected.

A Plea for Continuity

Despite the positive impact, Gavaskar urged that such participation shouldn’t remain a one-off effort.
“Let’s hope this becomes a habit and not just a box-ticking exercise. Their continued involvement will elevate the Ranji Trophy to the level it truly deserves,” he concluded.

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Ranji Trophy, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Sunil Gavaskar, Domestic Cricket, BCCI Policy, Cricket Fans, Indian Cricket