In the world of cricket, few names evoke as much excitement and admiration as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. These two stalwarts of Indian cricket have mesmerized fans with their exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to the game. However, former Indian captain Kapil Dev recently made headlines with his blistering take on the duo's domestic match experience, just days before the Asia Cup.
The former captain questioned the number of domestic matches played by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, raising concerns about their ability to handle pressure in high-stakes tournaments. He argued that playing domestic matches helps players develop a strong foundation and adaptability to different conditions.
It also helps the emerging players to learn a lot of things from these two experienced players, so keeping the future of cricket in mind star players should be involved in playing domestic tournaments. Dev's comments have sparked a heated debate among cricket enthusiasts.
While it is true that both Sharma and Kohli have not played as many domestic matches as some other players, it is important to consider their overall contributions to Indian cricket. Both players have consistently performed at international levels, breaking records and leading India to numerous victories.
It is worth noting that modern-day cricketers often face a demanding schedule due to international commitments, leaving them with limited opportunities for domestic matches. Despite this constraint, Sharma and Kohli have managed to excel in all formats of the game.
Rohit's captaincy lacks aggressive intent: Kapil Dev
The former skipper went on to say that an aggressive approach in Test cricket can rekindle interest in the format and draw a greater audience. He stated that Rohit is a decent captain but needs to go for it with more aggressive intent, as demonstrated in the West Indies series. His frame of view is validated by England's recent success, where their offensive philosophy has delivered excellent results. He stated that winning games should be the main aim for both teams, rather than playing for a draw, citing the previous Ashes series as one of the best test cricket series played in recent times.
“Domestic cricket is most important. How many domestic matches has Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma or any of the other top players played in recent times? I think the top players must play a decent amount of domestic matches so that it helps the next generation of players,” Kapil Dev said.
While Kapil Dev's suggestion of adopting England's style of playing Test cricket may seem appealing at first glance, it is imperative for teams like India to carefully consider their own strengths and playing style. Test cricket requires a delicate balance between aggression and patience, and blindly following another team's approach may not yield the desired results. It is essential to preserve the essence of Indian cricket while also embracing innovation to keep the longest format alive and thriving in India.