Fresh from a remarkable five-wicket victory against England in Ranchi, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, delved into the ongoing discussion surrounding IPL versus Test matches, shedding light on the matter. The BCCI has drawn a clear distinction between Ranji and the IPL, emphasizing that players should prioritize First-Class cricket over focusing solely on the Ranji Trophy. This strategic move aims to strike a balance between the IPL and Ranji, ultimately enhancing the emphasis on Test cricket, particularly for emerging talents.
The recent performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel in Test cricket exemplify the promising future that lies ahead. India, already a dominant force in Test cricket, boasts stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who consistently prioritize the longest format. Rohit, addressing a question about players’ hunger for success in Tests, unequivocally settled the debate.
WATCH – Rahul Dravid’s Rare Emotional Outburst: Celebrating India’s Thrilling Win In Ranchi Test
“This Test cricket is the toughest format. And if you want success and want to excel in this tough format, then you need that hunger. It is very important. We will give opportunities only to players who have that hunger. Jinko bhookh nahi hai, unko dekh ke hi pata chal jata hai (You come to know easily about the players who don’t have that hunger or players who don’t want to stay here and play this format. We come to know that),” he declared during the post-match press conference.
Rohit just trolled Ishan Kishan & Hardik Pandya😅🤣
‘Dekho, jinko Test Cricket ki bhook nahi hain, wo dekh ke hi pata chal jata hain. Un sabko khilane ka kya faida phir? (See, the one who doesn’t have hunger to play Tests can be seen, what’s the meaning of playing them)’ pic.twitter.com/1OKmt5yAgw
— Gss🇮🇳 (@Gss_Views) February 26, 2024
Emphasizing the significance of hunger and determination, Rohit reiterated the team’s commitment to providing opportunities to players who demonstrate a genuine passion for playing Test cricket under challenging conditions. Although Rohit refrained from naming specific individuals, his remarks prompted speculation among fans, with many suggesting that they might be directed at Ishan Kishan.
Shots fired at Kishan and Hardik
— AP (@AksP009) February 26, 2024
Ishan, absent from the national team since the T20Is against Australia in November, cited mental fatigue as the reason for his break. However, his absence from both the Ranji Trophy and the ongoing Test series raises questions about compliance with the BCCI’s guidelines.
As the IPL approaches, Rohit Sharma made it clear that while it remains a crucial part of Indian cricket and a selection criterion, nothing surpasses Test cricket. The captain’s perspective is strengthened by the remarkable performances of young players throughout the series. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s twin double centuries and the impressive scores of Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel, who has only played two Tests, demonstrate a level of maturity usually associated with players boasting fifty games or more.
ALSO READ: Dhruv Jurel Expresses Gratitude To Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid For Support
“IPL is for us, no doubt, a good format. But Test cricket is the most difficult format: to achieve success and perform here is not so easy. We have seen in these four Tests we have played, the three wins we got were not easy,” Rohit Sharma emphasized. He praised the hard work put in by the young players over the years, acknowledging the challenges of Test cricket and commending the encouraging responses he receives from the emerging talents.
