NEW DELHI: The BCCI has directed all star cricketers to participate in domestic cricket whenever they are free from national duty, with exceptions for senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.
This move highlights the BCCI's focus on domestic cricket's role in maintaining player form and competitive edge. The national selection committee will now pick teams for the Duleep Trophy, replacing the zonal selection committee.
The directive insists that Test specialists play in at least one or two Duleep Trophy games in August to prepare for upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. This is viewed as essential for the players' readiness for international matches.
A BCCI source told PTI, "This time there is no zonal selection committee for the Duleep Trophy. Only the national selection committee will pick the Duleep teams. All Test team contenders will be picked. For Rohit, Virat, and Bumrah, it will be their choice if they want to play or not."
The emphasis on domestic cricket is seen as a crucial measure to ensure that players remain in top form. While the BCCI mandates participation for most, it allows senior players to choose their involvement, acknowledging the need to manage their workload effectively.
This balanced approach aims to keep key team members rested while ensuring others hone their skills through domestic competitions.
