Former cricketer Madan Lal has expressed his happiness over the inclusion of Indian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the second leg of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season. Madan Lal said playing domestic cricket allows players to connect with the tournament that shaped their careers.
Rohit Sharma is all set to make a comeback to domestic cricket after nearly a decade. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has included him in the squad for their match against Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, January 23. This is Rohit Sharma’s first Ranji Trophy game since the 2015-16 season.
Virat Kohli is all set to play for Delhi in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Railways, sources from the Delhi and District Cricket Association have confirmed. Kohli’s last Ranji Trophy game was against Uttar Pradesh in November 2012, where he recorded scores of 14 and 42 runs in two innings.
I am very happy that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play in first class – Madan Lal
Speaking to ANI, Madan Lal said that the presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will help young cricketers to become great players in the future, who can learn from the experience and guidance of experienced players.
“I’m very happy that all these players are going to play first class. You have to play matches in the tournament, that’s what made you a player. Whenever you get the chance, you have to play local matches because the young players can learn. Maybe someday these players will be big from you.” they will be players…,” Madan Lal told ANI.
If Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant play, Delhi have a chance to win – Madan Lal
The cricketer-turned-expert said the presence of players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant could boost Delhi’s chances of qualifying for the play-offs in Ranji Trophy 2024-25. Lal noted that unlike in his time, players often avoid domestic matches.
“When players like Kohli and Rohit play, the morale of the team also increases a lot. If a team is fighting to qualify like Delhi. If Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant play, then they have a chance to win. So it was a very important step. .. this rule existed before, but we never avoided first-class matches.”
BCCI is taking a tougher stance on the participation of Indian International Stars in Domestic Cricket
Rohit Sharma’s return to first-class cricket has sparked debate over his future in Test cricket. The 37-year-old batsman remains committed to playing in the longest format despite being dropped from India’s XI in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He scored just 31 runs in five overs.
Under his leadership, the Indian cricket team also faced a home tear by New Zealand 3-0. However, after India’s 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has taken a tougher stance on bringing international players into domestic cricket.
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