NEW DELHI: India captain Rohit Sharma has emphasized the importance of players, not engaged in national duties, making themselves available for domestic cricket unless deemed "unfit" by the BCCI's medical team.
In a firm directive aimed at discouraging players from favoring one format over another, the Indian cricket board has urged all contracted cricketers to prioritize domestic cricket.
The board has taken a stringent stance, exemplified by the exclusion of 2023 ODI World Cup participants Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the pool of centrally contracted cricketers, following their non-compliance with the board's instructions regarding the Ranji Trophy.
Ahead of the final Test against England, Rohit Sharma reiterated that this directive applies universally to all players and not just a select few.
1/10:WTC standings: India climb to top spot
ANI
2/10:Team India
<p>Two-time finalists India jumped to the top of the World Test Championship standings, replacing New Zealand in the latest rankings issued on Sunday. </p>ANI
3/10:Ranchi Test
<p>India defeated England by five wickets in the fourth Test in Ranchi to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. </p>ANI
4/10:Better points percentage
<p>India replaced the Kiwis with a stronger points percentage of 64.58. </p>AP
5/10:62 points
<p>With five wins, two losses and one draw, India have 62 points in 8 matches. </p>AFP
6/10:New Zealand
<p>The Black Caps have 36 from five matches (three wins, two losses) and have a point-percentage of 60.00. </p>AFP
7/10:Wellington Test
<p>Before the start of the Wellington Test, New Zealand were sitting at the top of the table with 36 points in four games and a points percentage of 75. </p>AP
8/10:No. 2 spot
<p>But following their massive 172-run defeat, the 2021 WTC champions lost the top spot, slipping to the No. 2 position with a points percentage of 60. </p>AFP
9/10:Australia
<p>Third-placed Australia have closed on the gap after the Wellington Test, gaining 12 points as they now have 78 points from 11 matches (7 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw). </p>AFP
10/10:Points percentage
<p>Australia's points percentage has also increased from 55 to 59.09. </p>AFP"There has been talk about this for a long, long time. That when the players are available, they've got to make themselves available to play domestic cricket, unless they have been given a certificate from the medical group that they want to be rested or will not be taking part in domestic cricket, but if you are available, if you are fit, if you're fine, it is important that we go and play that," said Rohit.
"It is not for just few cricketers, it is for everyone to make sure that whenever you're available, and fine, you should be able to play domestic cricket."
Rohit is busy preparing for the Dharamsala Test but still found time to track the recently concluded semi-finals of Ranji Trophy that saw participation from his own domestic side Mumbai.
"You saw the Ranji trophy that was played this week. I watched Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, obviously there was a very interesting game happening today as well, I think Vidarbha won (they did on Wednesday).
"When games like that happen, you see the quality and everything coming into display for everyone to watch. It is important that we give importance to domestic cricket, which is the core of Indian cricket," said the skipper.
(With inputs from PTI)
