According to the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), Virat Kohli has not yet formally contacted them to confirm his availability for the current Ranji Trophy season.
The DDCA source said, “We have not received an official intimation from Virat Kohli on his availability for the Ranji season.”
The National Cricket Academy (NCA) or the state association in question will assess the players’ explanations for missing domestic matches during the home season, as mandated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
India’s Test and One-Day International skipper, Rohit Sharma, was seen earlier on Tuesday at the Ranji Trophy practice camp in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, according to ESPNcricinfo. His intention to continue playing first-class cricket is shown by his participation, even if it has not yet been confirmed for forthcoming games.
As part of its plan to guarantee national players’ form and match preparedness, the BCCI has taken the step to impose responsibility for domestic participation. This comes after India lost the Test series to Australia 3-1 recently, sparking discussions about how crucial it is for players to remain involved in the home circuit.
Additionally, Shubman Gill has affirmed that he is available for Punjab’s next match against Karnataka in the sixth round of the Ranji Trophy, which is scheduled to start on January 23 at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Gill’s participation would be a nice boost for Punjab, even if the team’s roster has not yet been formally revealed, according to ESPNcricinfo.
India’s best players helping their state sides remain match-ready is crucial, according to head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. After recuperating from a finger injury that had prevented him from playing in the first Test match in Perth, Gill himself had a challenging series in Australia, scoring a maximum of 31 in five innings. He missed the Boxing Day Test despite a series average of 18.60.
Since players’ involvement in state-level cricket is still crucial to preserving India’s red-ball depth and competitiveness, Kohli’s attendance in the Ranji Trophy, if confirmed, will be eagerly watched.