Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli face heat as BCCI imposes strict rule for participation in domestic cricket

In a high-stakes meeting held at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday, January 12, the Indian cricket team’s performance came under intense scrutiny following the team’s 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy debacle.

The meeting was attended by Indian captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selectors Ajit Agarkar, BCCI president Roger Binny, vice-president Rajiv Shukla and joint secretary Devjit Saikia.

Domestic cricket has now been made mandatory for senior players in India, the BCCI has announced

According to a Dainik Jagran report, after reviewing India’s recent performance, especially against Australia and New Zealand, the BCCI issued a meaningless directive, mandating that top players take part in domestic cricket to improve their performance and stay match-ready. .

BCCI is tightening its grip on centrally contracted players, only allowing them to skip domestic cricket matches under strict conditions. Players requesting an exemption must submit a detailed report from a physiotherapist and approval from both Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar.

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The BCCI will give the green light to these players only if Indian coach Gambhir and chief selector Agarkar point to workload management or other genuine concerns, the report said. The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s message is bold and clear that there will be no exceptions, but only full commitment to the game at all levels.

The BCCI puts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli under the microscope due to poor form and absence from domestic cricket

Meanwhile, the high-level meeting also addressed the performance issues of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as well on Saturday. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s disappointing tour of Australia has raised serious questions about their form and future in the Indian Test team.

Rohit managed just 31 runs in five innings and opted out of the final Test in Sydney due to a poor performance, while Kohli scored a century in Perth but struggled overall, amassing just 190 runs in nine innings, often falling to deliveries outside off-stump. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Adding to the concerns is their long absence from domestic cricket. Rohit last played a Ranji Trophy match in 2015, while Kohli last featured back in 2012. This gap was reportedly a major topic during the BCCI review meeting in Mumbai, where their poor form and lack of practice for domestic matches were discussed.

According to the report published in Dainik Jagran, this gap was also discussed during the BCCI review meeting in Mumbai. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s poor form with the bat and lack of practice for home matches were also discussed during the review meeting.

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BCCI is looking for solutions from Gautam Gambhir and the selectors as the Test future of Rohit and Kohli is in doubt

India’s next Test series is against England in June 2025, and speculation is rising as to whether Rohit and Kohli will make the squad for the upcoming UK tour. With their recent performances under scrutiny, the future of India’s biggest cricketing icons is under threat.

On the other hand, Gautam Gambhir’s coaching stint with Team India has roughly begun. Team India lost the ODI series against Sri Lanka, faced a crushing Test at home against New Zealand, and lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia for the first time in 10 years.

Adding to the woes, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team failed to secure a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the first time. With these results, the BCCI demands immediate solutions from Gambhir, the selectors and the team management to get India back on track.