Aakash Chopra criticizes Rohit Sharma and other senior cricketers for skipping the Ranji Trophy round, calling their participation a “token gesture.”
Table of Contents
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, while some of India’s senior cricketers like Virat Kohli have made their presence felt, others such as Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer have opted out of the second round of matches, drawing sharp criticism from former India cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra. The participation of big names in the domestic circuit had initially sparked a lot of excitement, with fans and experts hopeful about the return of these players to first-class cricket. However, Chopra has raised concerns over the seeming lack of commitment shown by the senior players towards the tournament.
The Return of Senior Players: A Missed Opportunity for Domestic Cricket
The return of established names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill to the Ranji Trophy has been one of the major talking points of this season. With the Indian team having faced a disappointing 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) implemented a set of new guidelines, one of which mandated that all available players participate in domestic cricket. This decision was aimed at keeping the national players in form and providing opportunities for young cricketers to learn from their more experienced counterparts.
However, the excitement surrounding the participation of these senior players has been short-lived. Chopra has pointed out that while a few of them participated in the first round of Ranji Trophy matches that began on January 23, they have now decided to skip the ongoing second week. Only those who missed the first week, like Kohli, are now participating, leaving behind a large number of top players who initially made their presence felt but are not continuing their participation.
A Token Gesture: Is Playing Ranji Trophy Just A Form of Punishment?
Chopra’s criticism is aimed at what he perceives as a lack of genuine engagement by the senior players with the Ranji Trophy. He argued that many of these players seem to be treating the tournament as a “token” requirement, merely fulfilling the BCCI‘s mandate by playing a single game and then stepping away. In his view, the act of playing one match and leaving gives the impression that domestic cricket is being treated as a form of “punishment” rather than an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the game.
“Virat Kohli is playing, but many others are not, like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, or Shreyas Iyer,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “Ultimately, all these players have played their token Ranji Trophy match, marked their attendance, and left.” Chopra’s comments reflect his concern that the focus on domestic cricket is not being taken seriously by some of the game’s biggest stars.
Virat Kohli: A Different Approach to Domestic Cricket
While the other senior players have chosen to skip the second round of the tournament, Virat Kohli stands out as an exception. Kohli, who missed the first round of matches, has now chosen to play in the ongoing week. This decision has prompted further discussion on the attitude of senior players towards domestic cricket. Chopra observed that while Kohli had not played in the first round, he is now participating, which he believes highlights the difference in how players approach the tournament.
“What does it tell you?” Chopra asked. “This (playing Ranji Trophy) was a bit of a punishment posting. But playing first-class cricket shouldn’t be viewed as punishment; it should be considered a privilege.” Chopra’s words reflect his belief that the senior players should view domestic cricket as an essential part of their professional development, not just a box they need to check to fulfill an obligation.
BCCI’s Guidelines and the Dilemma of Senior Players
After India’s crushing loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI laid out several guidelines aimed at improving the team’s performance and ensuring that players maintain their fitness and form. One of the key directives was that all available players must participate in domestic cricket, with the goal of strengthening the national team by providing a platform for players to hone their skills.
However, Chopra believes that many of the senior cricketers have treated this guideline with minimal seriousness. According to him, players such as Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant only fulfilled their obligation by playing a single Ranji game and then opted to skip the second week. Despite the BCCI’s best efforts to ensure more participation in domestic cricket, it appears that only a handful of players, like Ravindra Jadeja, have genuinely committed to this cause.
Ravindra Jadeja: The Only Senior Player Committed to Domestic Cricket
Ravindra Jadeja, in contrast to his fellow senior players, has consistently shown his dedication to domestic cricket. The all-rounder has been performing admirably for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, and his contributions were highlighted when he was named the Player of the Match in his team’s recent game. His commitment to domestic cricket stands in stark contrast to the other senior players who have largely stayed away after the initial round.
Jadeja’s performances in the tournament underscore the importance of players using domestic cricket as a platform to stay in top form, and his consistent participation is an example of how to approach the competition with seriousness and professionalism.
A Broader Reflection on Commitment to Domestic Cricket
The current situation reflects a broader issue within Indian cricket. Despite the BCCI’s efforts to encourage top players to participate in domestic cricket, the reality seems to be that many players treat it as a mere formality. Chopra’s criticism is not just about the participation of a few players in the Ranji Trophy but also about the mindset of senior players when it comes to contributing to the growth of the game at the grassroots level.
For Chopra, the Ranji Trophy should be seen as a crucial component of a cricketer’s development and not as an inconvenient task to be completed. The commitment of senior players to domestic cricket should reflect their genuine desire to contribute to the sport and mentor younger players rather than just ticking off an obligatory task.
Conclusion: A Call for More Serious Engagement with Domestic Cricket
As the Ranji Trophy continues, it is clear that the tournament is an important fixture in the Indian cricket calendar, not only for emerging players but also for established stars looking to stay in peak form. While players like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have taken the tournament seriously, others like Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer seem to be using it as a formality, playing only a single match before opting out.
Aakash Chopra’s remarks serve as a timely reminder that participation in domestic cricket should not be seen as a punishment or a chore. Instead, it should be viewed as an essential aspect of a cricketer’s journey—a platform for growth, mentorship, and honing of skills that ultimately benefits the national team. The BCCI’s guidelines are clear, and it is now up to the senior players to rise to the occasion and show a more serious commitment to the Ranji Trophy and Indian cricket as a whole.
FAQs
Why is Aakash Chopra criticizing senior cricketers?
Aakash Chopra is criticizing senior cricketers for skipping the second round of the Ranji Trophy, calling their participation a “token gesture” and a lack of genuine commitment.
What is the issue with senior players’ participation in the Ranji Trophy?
Senior players have played only one game and then opted out, making it appear that they are fulfilling a formal obligation rather than genuinely engaging with the tournament.
What does Aakash Chopra mean by “marked their attendance and left”?
Chopra suggests that senior players participated just to check off the requirement, played a single match, and then left without showing further commitment to the tournament.
Why is Virat Kohli playing in the Ranji Trophy?
Virat Kohli missed the first round but chose to play in the ongoing second round, likely to stay in form and contribute to domestic cricket.
Why is Ravindra Jadeja praised for his participation in the Ranji Trophy?
Ravindra Jadeja has consistently shown up and performed well in the Ranji Trophy, demonstrating a strong commitment to domestic cricket, unlike some other senior players.
What are the BCCI’s guidelines for players participating in domestic cricket?
After India’s loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI required all available players to participate in domestic cricket to stay in form and maintain fitness.
What did Aakash Chopra say about the privilege of playing first-class cricket?
Aakash Chopra emphasized that playing in the Ranji Trophy should be seen as a privilege, not a punishment or obligation that players should just fulfill.
How has the performance of senior cricketers impacted the Ranji Trophy?
The inconsistent participation of senior cricketers raises concerns about their commitment to domestic cricket, potentially diminishing the quality and prestige of the tournament.
Why are senior players skipping the second round of the Ranji Trophy?
Senior players are skipping the second round after playing just one match, possibly due to fitness issues or a lack of serious interest in continuing their participation in the tournament.
How is Aakash Chopra’s criticism affecting the perception of the Ranji Trophy?
Chopra’s criticism underscores the lack of genuine engagement from senior players, making it seem like the Ranji Trophy is viewed as a low-priority task rather than an essential part of player development.
By watchnewz