Following India’s recent 0-3 loss to New Zealand, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has suggested that senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should prioritise domestic cricket over VIP perks if they aim to reclaim their form. Kaif’s call to action comes amid growing criticism of Indian cricket stars for missing domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy and the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
Kaif argued that if these players, who are scheduled to leave for Australia later in the week, played for their Ranji teams, it would serve as a vital preparation. For instance, Delhi’s next match is against Chandigarh, while Mumbai is set to face Odisha. “They need time at the crease, and a domestic century could boost their morale,” Kaif said in a video shared on social media.
Drawing a parallel, Kaif reminded fans of Rishabh Pant’s impact in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar series. Pant, who was initially excluded from India’s ODI and T20I squads, scored a century in a practice match and was later included in the Test side, where he famously hit the winning runs at the Gabba.
Kaif emphasised that players struggling for form, including Kohli and Sharma, should embrace domestic cricket to rediscover their rhythm. “Forget the luxury cars and VIP flights. Domestic cricket is where they’ll find the game time and confidence they need,” he added.