Ex-India Captain Accepts BCCI’s New Family Restriction; Speaks On Senior Players Featuring In Ranji Trophy

The former Indian captain, Kapil Dev, has shared his view on the star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s recent return to domestic cricket. Both the veterans played for Delhi and Mumbai, respectively, in the Ranji Trophy.

The move from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made it mandatory for the players to feature in the domestic circuit to make them available for the national selection.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Rohit returned to the domestic red-ball fixture for Mumbai after nearly a decade against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai. The Nagpur-born failed in the first innings with just three runs. He got a leading edge onto the bat as the ball ballooned in the air to end in the hands of opponent captain Paras Dogra.

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In the second innings, the 37-year-old used his feet and creamed a few cracking shots for 28 runs. The right-handed batter clubbed a couple of boundaries and three over boundaries at a strike rate of 80. But the result didn’t go in their favor, as Mumbai lost the contest by five wickets.

Rohit’s move came after he managed just 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.20 and the best score of 10 during the five Tests down under in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Virat Kohli featured in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. It was a different environment on the ground with the former Indian captain’s presence. He walked at number four on the second day and displayed his straight drive for a boundary.

But the fun didn’t last long as Himanshu Sangwan’s swinging delivery uprooted Kohli’s stumps to send him back to the pavilion for six runs in 15 deliveries. The result was memorable as they earned an innings and 19 runs victory.

Ex-India all-rounder calls for strict system of playing domestic games

The former premier all-rounder of the Indian side, Kapil Dev, pointed out that the BCCI should apply a strict system for all the players to feature in domestic cricket. He reckoned that the national players should play in the Ranji Trophy even if they score runs in international cricket.

“If you are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing Ranji Trophy after 12 years, how is that right? It does not look good at all. It's not because they did not perform. Whether they score runs or not, you have to score runs in domestic cricket.” Dev expressed during a recent interaction on Cricket Adda.

“So yes, certain strong measures have to be taken. But my point is, had we won or had Rohit or Kohli scored runs, would they have played Ranji Trophy? Don't look at the performances; Make the system strong. Whether you score zero or lakhs of runs, play cricket by staying within the system.” The former Haryana all-rounder highlighted.

Kapil Dev backed BCCI’s decision on family restriction

In the 10-point rule, the Indian board set a new rule to limit the family time of the players on tours. He shared his views that even though bringing families during the trip isn’t wrong, one should back BCCI’s final decision.

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“Taking your wives on tours is not wrong, but I feel that if the tour is one month, they should not be allowed for the first 20 days so that the players can play together as a team. Similarly, for a three-month campaign, at least for a month players should be left alone with the team.” India’s former World Cup-winning captain addressed.

Dev concluded by stating that cricket is not an individual sport and teams should travel together.