Ex-India batter Mohammad Kaif wants Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and other Indian batters to play domestic cricket in order to regain form ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025 Test series against Australia. Kaif believes that players like Kohli and Rohit might not receive special treatment in the Ranji Trophy, but this could be beneficial for them.
Apart from Rishabh Pant, no other Indian batter performed consistently well in the recently-concluded Test series against New Zealand, which India lost 0-3.
Forget that you travel in big cars and flights: Mohammad Kaif
Kaif has suggested that out-of-form Indian batters, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, should participate in domestic cricket to regain their form. During an exclusive conversation with Sports Today, which Kaif posted on social media, Kaif emphasised the importance of spending extended hours at the crease to build confidence and rhythm.
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Kaif further pointed out that domestic cricket, such as the Ranji Trophy, might not offer the same level of luxury and special treatment that these players are accustomed to. However, he believes that this could be a positive challenge, as it would force them to adapt to a more demanding environment and ultimately benefit their performance in international cricket, particularly ahead of the crucial Test series against Australia.
“Absolutely. They need the form, and they need to bat hours there. If they end up scoring a hundred, then it will benefit them immensely and serve as a morale booster. So whoever thinks that they are struggling to score runs and did not get enough game time, they should 100 percent play in domestic cricket," Kaif advised Indian batters during an exclusive conversation with Sports Today.
"Forget that you travel in big cars and flights and that you may not get VIP treatment there. If you want to find form, you need to put in that effort," he further stated.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's flop show with the bat in Test series against New Zealand
Rohit and Virat had a disappointing home season. Rohit Sharma scored a mere 91 runs in three Tests, averaging a meager 15.16. Virat Kohli fared slightly better with 93 runs, but his average of 15.50 was still far from his usual standards.
Meanwhile, another ex-Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar suggested that both players should consider participating in the Duleep Trophy to regain their form and confidence. This domestic tournament could provide them with valuable match practice and an opportunity to adapt to challenging conditions.
Kaif also highlighted the importance of practice matches for cricketers. He cited the example of Rishabh Pant, who played a practice game before the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This practice match proved to be crucial, as Pant subsequently delivered a stellar performance in the series, culminating in a match-winning knock that helped India clinch the historic Gabba Test.
"Let me remind you of Rishabh Pant here. He ended up scoring the winning run in Gabba, but he was neither part of the ODI nor the T20I squad in that tour. He only went for the Test series, where Wriddhiman Saha played ahead of him. But India incurred that '36 all out' and we lost the match," Kaif further said.
"Pant was included. But remember, Pant had played a practice match in that tour, in a Pink Ball match supposedly, and scored a century, after which he was included in the XI so he emerged as a whole different player then," he concluded.
