Rohit Sharma on BCCI making domestic cricket mandatory: 'You hardly have time'

Rohit, the first current player to speak about the guidelines, told the press conference that while he understood the BCCI's call, there had not been much opportunity for Indian players to play domestic cricket in recent times, and none of them had took up space. in the team of course. “[In the] If you go back to our calendar, there hasn't been a time in the last six-seven years where we were at home for 45 days and cricket was going on,” Rohit said. complete the IPL and if nothing happens after that. But if you look at our domestic season, it starts in October – maybe September – and it's over in February-March. And that is the time when India plays a lot [international] also cricket. So guys who don't play certain formats and have time, and then there's domestic cricket, they'll play.

“But in the last six to seven years – at least I can tell you what has happened to me since I started playing Test cricket regularly, which is from 2019 – you hardly have time. When you play so much international cricket through the This year you have in addition a cricketer also needs some time off to freshen up, get your thoughts in order, just to be ready for the coming season. But we have dealt with it now and no one is taking it for granted or anything like that.”

Agarkar admitted that it is difficult for players playing all formats to participate in domestic cricket, but emphasized that such guidelines are aimed at strengthening the Indian domestic system. “If we continue, we will probably talk about it endlessly, but I think everyone should [play domestic cricket] when available,” he said. “To be fair to a lot of players, sometimes it's difficult when you play all three formats, you don't get that much time… You'll probably miss most of the guys playing this round of the Ranji Playing a trophy. There has been a little bit [down] time.

“But over the last six to seven years – at least I can tell what has happened to me since I started playing Test cricket regularly, which is from 2019 – you hardly have time. When you play so much international cricket through the year you have some free time need time as well as a cricketer to freshen you up.”

Rohit Sharma

“And of those who are available and fit, you obviously expect people to play. I don't think it's a diktat. It's one of the things that BCCI has clearly put forward. As selectors, we expect people, when they are available , to play because that can only strengthen our domestic structure, not just because of their form or their fitness and playing cricket, but it can only strengthen our domestic structure.

In its guidelines, the BCCI reiterated that the unavailability of domestic cricket players could cost them their place in international cricket and affect their central contracts. The sanctions could also mean that they will not be allowed to participate in the IPL.

Agarkar said that even though this was not a 'school', there were still certain rules to be followed. “Time permitting, we expect everyone to play,” he said. “In recent months you have seen various things that you can get better at as a team, where you can come a little closer together as a team. It is not a school. It's not a punishment.

“You have a set of rules and when you play for the national team you just follow those rules. Again, these are mature individuals. They are superstars in their own right in international sport. But at the end of the day you're representing your country. are certain things that you inherently follow, as every team does.

'There are already a lot of them. Maybe we've already talked about it and it's already out, but at least a lot of it is already there. You just keep refining it as you go. the team, that you want to try and do.”

While Rohit spoke about the mandatory participation in the domestic cricket policy, when asked about his views on the “new policy” for players, he said, “Who told you about this? Has it come official?”