Virat Kohli should take a leaf out of Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket: DDCA secretary | Cricket News

Kohli and Rishabh Pant’s names are on Delhi’s probable squad for the last two rounds of the Ranji Trophy fixture. “Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable l. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway,” (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma told The Indian Express. “Virat should take inspiration from the Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket, whenever he is available.
“See in Mumbai, there has always been a culture where their India players turn up for Ranji matches whenever available. It is missing in the North, especially in 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.
India’s Virat Kohli bats during play on the last day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Kohli had a disappointing tour Down Under, after scoring a century in the second innings of the first Test at Perth. His scores in the next four Test matches read 7, 11, 3, 37, 5, 17, and 6.
Meanwhile, DDCA president Rohan Jaitely says “fit and available” Kohli and Pant should play Ranji Trophy, but there are other factors as well.
“They should, but there are too many moving parts,” Jaitely told this newspaper. “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.”
However, Jaitley maintained 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 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 l, which is exceptionally important,” he said.
India’s Virat Kohli reacts as he run between the wickets to score during play on the last day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
Kohli’s last appearance for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy came in 2012.
When coaxed about whether the DDCA has reached out to Kohli or not, he said: “In regard to whether we have reached out or not, I am sure the selectors and the CAC are the ones who would be in touch and coordinating things, so it is something that they would be far better equipped to respond on.”
The remaining two Ranji Trophy rounds are scheduled to start from January 23, with Delhi playing Saurashtra in Rajkot, and then Railways in their last group match at Arun Jaitley Stadium from January 30.
Jaitley insed Kohli’s presence in the Delhi camp can leave a long-lasting impact on Delhi’s up-and-coming cricketers.
“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, being a part of a camp with the likes of Virat is huge. I am also a lawyer, so when you ass 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.

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