According to Sunil Joshi, more domestic cricket matches should be played by the present Test team’s hitters.
Former India spinner Sunil Joshi, who served as top selector during the 2020–21 2-1 Test series victory in Australia, feels that the current Test team’s hitters should play more domestic cricket games since it will help them find their rhythm. Despite scoring an undefeated century in India’s 295-run victory in Perth, Kohli only managed 190 runs in all five games, and skipper Rohit Sharma scored just 31 runs in five innings during India’s recent 3-1 Test series loss in Australia.
It has been nine years since Rohit participated in a domestic red-ball cricket match, and Kohli hasn’t featured in a Ranji Trophy match since 2012. For players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the season-opening Duleep Trophy was the most recent domestic first-class match. Furthermore, players should make themselves accessible to play domestic cricket “if they have the commitment to play red-ball cricket,” according to head coach Gautam Gambhir, who made this statement following the series defeat in Sydney. “Why don’t our best hitters play domestic cricket where they don’t now play? No, if I am hurt. Yes, if I’ve been playing the game in all three formats. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Joshi stated, “If not, please go play domestic cricket for four days. It becomes much easier when you score runs on those surfaces.”
“But all of a sudden, you have no chance of getting runs when you arrive to practice and play two sessions in a Test match on a turner. People like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble played domestic cricket after making the Indian squad, something I’ve been saying since I was on the selection committee,” he remarked.
Test squad players who are not eligible to play in ODIs have only one opportunity to play domestic cricket: on January 23, when the sixth round of the Ranji Trophy commences. Joshi also remembered playing a domestic match at home during a significant Test series. In 1999, we traveled to Mohali to play New Zealand in a Test match. Following that, I participated in the Board XI match between the Ranji Trophy winners Karnataka and New Zealand, which we won in less than three or four days. After that, I participated in the subsequent Test match in Kanpur against New Zealand, which we also won. Therefore, I fail to see why players are unable to play domestic games.
India’s recent poor Test record, which included a 3-1 series victory over Australia and a 3-0 home loss to New Zealand, raises concerns about the team’s decision-making processes and plan for playing the longer format. First, we need to look at our strengths. How do we play cricket in Test matches? Does the primary goal of Test cricket be to play on surfaces that allow for rapid bowling, spin, or batting? When you come to Asia or the subcontinent, the wickets will be slow and low turn, as everyone is aware.
“So why don’t you hire some of your best domestic cricket players to do this for you? All things considered, Sarfaraz has scored runs against both New Zealand and England bowlers in India, so I would have likely been pleased if he had played in Australia.
“South Africa defeated India 2-0 on a turner in 2000, the last time the country lost a Test series at home. Given that we lost a Test series 3-0 in 2024, have we not learned anything from it? The distinction between bravery and stupidity is really narrow.Because of the cloud cover during the first Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, I say this.
“It rained a much for three days. Then we lost when the covers came off. The explanation for why we must bat in cloudy sky is quite straightforward. However, we made the mistake of excluding New Zealand and repeated the process. In any case, why not introduce opposition into a pitch that is conducive to spin? You become caught up in it, but why?”When England defeated India in Hyderabad, the same thing occurred. Playing on a turner is therefore not something you should do if you don’t want to. If you believe that our fast-bowling offense is strong, then play on a fast-bowling field. We must realize that when our spinners take a lot of wickets, our hitters must also take on the opposition’s less experienced spinners,” Joshi added.
Following the conclusion of the Australia trip, India’s attention will turn to the home white-ball series against England, which consists of three ODIs and five T20Is. India’s last opportunity to hone their combinations before the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will take place in Dubai in February and March, will be during the ODIs, even if the new-look T20I team is anticipated to maintain its strong play.
Naturally, everyone’s attention will be on Rohit and Kohli’s performance, as well as Bumrah’s availability for the Champions Trophy and ODI matches. However, Joshi believes that in the months following the Champions Trophy, with the inevitable change in the red-ball setup, there should be personnel changes in both ODIs and Test matches.Sincerely, I think certain adjustments ought to be made. With the 2027 World Cup in mind, you should consider the new players if you wish to advance in Test or ODI cricket during the next years. That’s again according to my reasoning.
