India’s Virat Kohli bats during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar says Virat Kohli needs to play a lot of red-ball cricket before the Test series in England and insists that he should seek inspiration from Cheteshwar Pujara and play county cricket.
Kohli managed only 190 runs in 9 innings in Australia. Barring one century at the Perth, his batting has been underwhelming.
“Kohli needs to play a lot of red-ball cricket,” Manjrekar said in the latest episode of Star Sports’ Deep Point podcast.
“The first Test in England is in June, while the County Championship begins in April.
“He could join a county team, as Pujara did, and gain valuable match practice.
Virat Kohli ended the Australia series with a lowly 190 runs at a 23.75 average. (AP)
“India can then evaluate his performances in the initial Test matches.
“If there are positive signs, he can continue. But the last thing you want is Kohli going there and struggling, as we’ve seen before.
“That wouldn’t be good for Indian cricket. Playing county cricket could be a very sensible move for him,” he added.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been named in Delhi’s 22-member provisional squad for their next Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra in Rajkot but doubts remain about his participation after it came to light that he is nursing a niggle.
India’s Virat Kohli bats during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Kohli had last played a red-ball game for Delhi back in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad.
The BCCI has made it mandatory for all centrally-contracted cricketers to play domestic cricket unless there is some compelling reason to skip the assignment.
The Board has warned that non-compliance would invite sanctions, including deductions from central contract retainer and ban on playing in the Indian Premier League.
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