Suresh Raina said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should have been part of the Duleep Trophy 2024. The southpaw suggested that competing in the domestic tournament would have prepared the two for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
However, Raina also said that players need time with their families as well. He mentioned that Kohli and Sharma would be aware of what needs to be done to get ready for the home Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
“They should have played as the team hasn’t played red-ball cricket for a long time. If you are heading into a busy home season, you need practice with the red ball. I think they are mature enough, and they know what needs to be done as players. Sometimes family time becomes very important,” he said on Sports Tak.
The 17th season of the Duleep Trophy will start on September 5. Many of the top Indian players are part of four squads.
Rohit and Virat will directly return to action during the first Test against Bangladesh on September 19. India will then play three Tests against New Zealand before heading to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The five-Test series will test the Indian players.
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