Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes that if star players like Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli feature in domestic cricket it will motivate a lot of youngsters who are also featuring in the competition along and against them. After India's bad performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made it compulsory for national players to feature in domestic cricket when they are free from international duties.
Ganguly accepts that the schedule of national cricketers is so tight and they travel a lot for the cricketing action but he also believes that whenever they are free they must feature in domestic cricket.
"When you will get time you must play domestic cricket. When you will get break you have to play. Nowadays cricketers play lots of games, they use to travel a lot. Most of the time they don't get time. But when you get time you should play Ranji Trophy matches. In Ranji Trophy lots of youngsters play so they will get motivated if Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma plays great domestic cricket" Ganguly told Sports Tak.
After BCCI's guidelines, Indian star players who featured in Australia made their domestic comeback through the Ranji Trophy. However, Gill is the only batter who smashed a century in his Ranji comeback.
Rohit Sharma-led India are currently preparing for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England which will start from February 6 this will be India's last white ball assignment before the Champions Trophy 2025.
The Champions Trophy will start from February 19 and India will face Bangladesh in their opener clash of February 20. Rohit Sharma-led side will play all their matches in Dubai.
Interview by Anirban