Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill in line for Ranji Trophy return

Team India stars aim to rediscover form in domestic circuit after flop show against Australia

- TridIB BAPARNASH

In recent years, a packed international calendar coupled with commitments to respective IPL franchises have often been taken into account while excusing leading all-format cricketers to turn up for domestic matches.

While the basic idea behind it was to manage workload of senior cricketers, especially the fast bowlers, several international cricketers have used it as an escape route from the toils of domestic cricket.

In 2023-24, the BCCI had stripped Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer of their annual contracts after the duo did not turn up for their respective state sides despite not being on national duty.

While the move set a precedent for many, it may not be the same in the case of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli—with both the veterans battling a prolonged lean patch in red-ball cricket.

In the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar series against Australia, Rohit missed the first match due to the birth of his second child and returned to scores of 3, 6, 10, 3, 9 across the three Tests in Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

He eventually decided to opt out of the Sydney Test, handing over the captaincy to Jasprit Bumrah.

Similarly, Kohli also struggled, scoring just 5 runs in the first innings in Perth before showing signs of returning to form with a much-awaited unbeaten century in the second innings.