Jay Shah Explains Absence of Kohli and Sharma from Duleep Trophy

Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), recently addressed the absence of star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from this year’s Duleep Trophy. Shah’s comments came amid growing discussions about the participation of top international players in domestic cricket tournaments.

When questioned about why senior batters Kohli and Sharma were not included in the Duleep Trophy, Shah offered a candid explanation. He suggested that their exclusion was a precautionary measure to prevent potential injuries. Given that India’s cricket calendar is packed with ten Test matches scheduled from September to January, the risk of injury is a significant concern. The schedule kicks off with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which adds to the intensity of the upcoming cricket season.

Shah also compared India’s approach with that of leading cricketing nations like Australia and England. He noted that it is common for top players from these countries to occasionally skip domestic cricket to avoid burnout and injury. "We should not pressure players like Rohit and Virat to participate in the Duleep Trophy, as it could lead to injury," Shah explained. 

"In Australia and England, not every international player participates in domestic cricket. We need to treat our players with the same level of respect."

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Despite Shah's perspective, there are notable examples of international players participating in domestic competitions. For instance, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes is currently involved in the County Championship, representing Durham. Similarly, Australian captain Pat Cummins is expected to play in the Sheffield Shield series, according to a report by ESPN Cricinfo.

Shah further emphasized that while Kohli and Sharma have not played in Indian domestic cricket since 2012 and 2016 respectively, many other Indian international players continue to contribute to domestic tournaments. He highlighted the participation of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer in the Buchi Babu Tournament as a positive development.

 "Apart from the top players, many of our international cricketers are actively involved in domestic cricket. We should appreciate this effort," Shah noted.

In summary, Jay Shah’s comments reflect a balanced approach to managing player workloads and ensuring their well-being. While the absence of Kohli and Sharma from the Duleep Trophy may spark debate, Shah’s remarks underscore the importance of maintaining player health and performance throughout a demanding cricket season.

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