Jay Shah: Should not insist on Rohit and Kohli to play Duleep Trophy

The Duleep Trophy is set to flag off India’s domestic season on September 5. After doing away with the zonal format, four teams – India A, India B, India C and India D – will be gunning for the title.

This year, several familiar faces will participate in the competition, a move in sync with BCCI chair Jay Shah’s move to ensure the availability of centrally contracted players in the domestic season.

However, India’s Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah are among the few exceptions to this directive.

When he was asked about their exclusion, Shah categorically said that Kohli and Rohit should not be insisted to play the Duleep Trophy.

"We should not insist on players like Rohit and Virat to play in the Duleep Trophy," said Shah. "They will risk injury. If you have noticed, in Australia and England, every international player does not play domestic cricket. We have to treat the players with respect."

Manjrekar voices his disapproval

The decision didn’t sit well with many, of whom former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar was one of the most notable critics. Manjrekar questioned the decision to rest Rohit, Kohli and Bumrah, as he reckoned they were "well rested as India players".

"India has played 249 international matches in the last 5 years. Rohit has played only 59% of those," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Virat 61 % & Bumrah 34%. I see them as well rested India players. Could have been selected for the Duleep trophy."

India has played 249 international matches in the last 5 years. Rohit has played only 59% of those. Virat 61 % & Bumrah 34%. I see them as well rested India players. Could have been selected for the Duleep trophy.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 28, 2024

Jadeja, Siraj released from Duleep Trophy squads

In the latest announcement yesterday, the BCCI named revised squads for the tournament, releasing Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom were part of the original squads. While Siraj was ruled out due to an illness, according to a BCCI release, no reason was given for Jadeja’s exclusion.

India will play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, followed by three Tests against New Zealand a month after before flying out for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22. The seniors rested are expected to play a vital role during the busy Test calendar.

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