India selectors wanted Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli to play Duleep Trophy, duo refused: Report

India cricket team selectors wanted seniors including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to participate in the Duleep Trophy, but the seniors refused to do so. An Indian Express report claims that the selectors wanted top stars including Rohit, Kohli, Bumrah and Ashwin to participate in the domestic red-ball tourney in preparation for India’s Test season. It has been nearly over a decade since Kohli and Rohit last played a first-class match.

The report claims that the selection committee had initially planned to allow all senior players to participate in round one of the Duleep Trophy. It was intended to get the stars prepared for the red-ball season. However, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli withdrew their names after giving their consent initially, deciding to directly take part in IND vs BAN Tests.

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The report revealed that the selection committee agreed to release Ravindra Jadeja when Rohit Sharma, Ashwin and Virat Kohli refused to participate in the Duleep Trophy. Meanwhile, stars like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar and KL Rahul took part in the domestic tourney with eyes on cementing a spot in India’s Test XI.

Rohit Sharma managed to score just 91 runs in three matches in IND vs NZ series, scoring just one-half century in his last six innings. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, scored 93 runs in three Tests. The duo did not have a good series against Bangladesh either, forcing some critics to recommend that they return to the domestic circuit in order to prepare well for Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The IND vs NZ Test series was supposed to be the preparation camp for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. But nobody in their wildest dreams had expected a Test series loss. Now, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma need to relearn their skills before India vs Australia Test series.