Ranji This Round: All Star Game

Eye on penultimate round as big names return to domestic cricket amidst new guidelines

- GOMESH S @ Chennai

WHEN Rohit Sharma takes the field for Mumbai on Thursday for the penultimate group stage Ranji Trophy clash against Jammu & Kashmir at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy, Mumbai, he would have achieved a unique feat. Still India's captain in the longest format, Rohit will be the first national skipper to play a Ranji game since Anil Kumble in late 2007.

Rohit will not be the only star India player in action; Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal also will play for their respective teams. Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj are expected to play the last round of matches. The topic of star India players not playing domestic cricket has surfaced time and again in the past decade. However, following the clean sweep against New Zealand at home and a 1-3 loss in Australia, the BCCI made a ten-point guideline for the players, which included an IPL ban and non-selection should they not take part in domestic cricket.