Wed Nov 06 02:54:05 UTC 2024: ## Indian Cricket Stars Urged to Return to Domestic Cricket Amidst Slump
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has called on senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to prioritize domestic cricket to revive their form, following India’s 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand. Kaif believes that playing in the Ranji Trophy, currently underway, would be beneficial for the struggling stars, allowing them to gain valuable match practice and boost their confidence.
Kaif’s suggestion comes amidst growing criticism from experts who believe the lack of domestic cricket exposure has contributed to the team’s recent struggles. Many argue that playing in the Duleep Trophy, a domestic tournament, would have been beneficial for Rohit and Kohli.
Drawing a parallel with Rishabh Pant’s impressive performance in the 2020 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kaif highlighted Pant’s century in a practice match leading to his inclusion in the Test squad. Pant went on to play a crucial role in India’s historic win at the Gabba.
Kaif urged senior players to shed their VIP privileges and focus on finding their form through domestic cricket, stating, “Whoever thinks that they are struggling to score runs and did not get enough game time, they should 100 per cent play in domestic cricket. Forget that you travel in big cars and flights and that you may not get VIP treatment there. If you want to find form, you need to put in that effort.”
With India’s upcoming tour to Australia looming, Kaif believes that returning to domestic cricket could be the key for the team’s senior players to rediscover their winning touch.
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