Time For Kohli And Rohit To Return To Domestic Cricket?

India's disappointing 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 has not only dashed their hopes for a series win but also knocked them out of contention for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final.

- SUNIL YASH KALRA

Amidst the aftermath, calls are growing louder for senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to return to domestic cricket to regain their form.

Rohit and Kohli, long regarded as pillars of Indian cricket, struggled to find form in the BGT. Rohit averaged under 11, while Kohli fared slightly better at 23—far below their usual standards.

While their places in the squad have traditionally been unquestionable, these performances have amplified criticism, with many questioning if their best days are behind them.

Adding to the debate is their absence from domestic cricket for years. Kohli hasn't played a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi since 2012, and Rohit last featured for Mumbai in 2015.

This lack of red-ball exposure at the domestic level is increasingly being seen as a factor in their struggles in Test cricket.