We are white-ball bullies’: Kaif on Kohli, Rohit’s need to play Ranji for WTC

Amid growing calls for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in the second half of the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy season to regain their form after a disappointing Australia tour, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has offered a different perspective. While many experts, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, have emphasized the importance of these senior players participating in domestic cricket, Kaif suggested that Kohli, Sharma, and several other struggling batters might not feature in the upcoming Ranji campaign.

Kaif’s comments have sparked controversy, with many believing the experience and form-building potential of the Ranji Trophy could benefit the underperforming players. However, Kaif’s assessment reflects the ongoing debate on whether senior players will take part in domestic cricket or focus on international commitments.

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Kaif Criticizes India’s Focus on White-Ball Cricket, Calls for Kohli and Rohit to Play Ranji for WTC Success

India’s crushing 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series marked the end of their eight-year reign as champions. Despite winning the opening match in Perth, they lost the series decider in Sydney by six wickets. Following this loss, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif added his voice to the growing criticism, calling on India to shift focus towards building a robust Test team for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle starting in June. He labeled India as “white-ball bullies” and emphasized the need to improve their Test cricket prowess.

Kaif highlighted that while India is likely to receive praise for their victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, there is a need for a mindset shift when it comes to Test cricket. He explained in a video posted on social media, “On 23rd February India will earn a lot of praise by beating Pakistan (in Champions Trophy) and everyone will say we are a champion team in white-ball cricket. But if India want to team the World Test Championship then we will have to make a Test match team, will have to learn to play on seaming tracks. The truth is that we are just white-ball bullies. We are lagging too far behind. If we have to win WTC, then players will have to play domestic cricket on turning tracks, will have to practice on seaming tracks, otherwise we will not be able to win.”

Amid calls for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, which resumes on January 23, Kaif pointed out that their underwhelming form since September made this an ideal opportunity for them to get back to domestic cricket. Kohli’s form, with an average of just 30 since 2022, was evident during the Australia tour where he managed just 190 runs across nine innings. Rohit fared worse, with a dismal 6.20 average, the worst by a touring captain in Australia. Despite this, Kaif noted that with a busy schedule ahead, including a white-ball series against England in February, Kohli and Rohit might opt for rest instead of playing in the Ranji Trophy.

Kaif Highlights Fatigue Among Players, Urges Focus on Test Cricket for WTC Success

Despite the uproar, Kaif pointed out the growing fatigue among national players due to their hectic schedules. “India lost 1-3, and I think this is a wake-up call, because now we have to pay our attention towards Test cricket. It’s not just Gautam Gambhir who is at fault. All players get the chance to play Ranji Trophy, but it gets tiresome for the players and they prefer rest over playing Ranji Trophy. They don’t play Ranji Trophy, they don’t play practice matches then how will they become better players? It’s tough to play on turning tracks in India and tougher to play on seaming tracks in Australia and South Africa. So if you don’t practice well, WTC will keep eluding you. What has happened, it has happened for the good and now Team India needs to work hard in Test cricket,” he added.

Earlier in October, both Kohli and Rohit had skipped the first half of the Ranji season, with similar justifications. However, their absence from the Duleep Trophy in September, ahead of the Test series, sparked criticism, especially given their minimal assignments since India’s T20 World Cup victory in June.