Ranchi: India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, underscores the significance of hunger and dedication in Test cricket. He cautions against prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over Test cricket. Despite the absence of key players, young talents like Dhruv Jurel have demonstrated maturity and composure. Rohit’s stern message aligns with BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s warning that players who bypass first-class cricket to focus on the IPL will encounter “severe implications.”
India’s series victory was followed by some stern words from captain Rohit Sharma. He mentioned that he has identified potential future Test regulars who are shaping up well. However, he emphasized that there would be no leniency for those players who neglect the longest format of the game.
Rohit Sharma stressed the significance of hunger and dedication in Test cricket, stating that it is the toughest format. He mentioned that opportunities will be given only to players who possess the hunger to excel in the challenging conditions of Test cricket. The captain emphasized that players lacking in this hunger won’t be prioritized, and the team will focus on those who are committed to performing in the longest format of the game.
Rohit Sharma’s strong message aligns with the warning from BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who stated that players opting out of first-class cricket to prepare for the IPL would face “severe implications.” Despite being third or fourth-choice picks, players like Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, and Akash Deep have showcased maturity and composure in the ongoing series against England. The emphasis is on maintaining commitment to first-class cricket and recognizing the importance of Test cricket over other formats.
India is grappling with the absence of key players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Shami in the ongoing series. Additionally, there are concerns about certain players potentially prioritizing the upcoming IPL over their responsibilities in Test or Ranji Trophy cricket. This has prompted strong messages from Rohit Sharma and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, emphasizing the importance of commitment to Test cricket and stern consequences for those neglecting first-class cricket.
While Rohit Sharma didn’t explicitly mention names, the reference seems to include players like Ishan Kishan, who withdrew from the Test series in South Africa, possibly due to dissatisfaction with being on the bench. Kishan has been training for the IPL and is set to play in a preparatory tournament. Another player, Shreyas Iyer, faced challenges against England and withdrew from the series citing an old injury, reportedly not sitting well with the BCCI. These instances highlight the emerging issue of players prioritizing T20 leagues over Test commitments.
Rohit Sharma expressed a clear stance on the prioritization of Test cricket over the IPL, emphasizing that while the IPL is a good format, Test cricket is the most challenging. He highlighted the difficulty of winning in Test cricket and the hard work put in to secure the victories in the series against England. Responding to whether the younger players lacked hunger for Test cricket, Rohit stated that he didn’t see anyone lacking the desire to play Tests and acknowledged the competitive nature where players need to seize their opportunities.
In Ranchi, where the Indian team had a total of 294 Test caps compared to England’s 668, younger players like Dhruv Jurel demonstrated their capabilities. Rohit Sharma commended the young players for taking responsibility, embracing the dressing-room culture, and handling pressure impressively. He emphasized the importance of providing them with a conducive environment. Rohit particularly praised Dhruv Jurel for displaying solid composure, calmness, and maturity in both innings, highlighting the grounded nature of these emerging players.