Kapil Dev criticizes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for playing Ranji after 12 years

Following a string of underwhelming performances from India's top batsmen in Test cricket, the BCCI has taken a bold step by requiring all contracted players to participate in domestic cricket in order to remain in consideration for the national team. This decision prompted the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, key players in the Indian squad, to make a highly anticipated comeback to the Ranji Trophy tournament last month. Rohit took to the field for Mumbai in their match against Jammu and Kashmir, while Kohli featured in Delhi's crucial final league game against Railways at the historic Arun Jaitely Stadium.

Kapil, speaking on the YouTube show 'Cricket Adda,' remained unfazed over Rohit and Kohli's unfavourable return to the red-ball tournament and rather called for a stricter system from the BCCI so that every cricketer plays domestic cricket. He elaborated his point by asking a valid question on whether the two stalwarts would have been forced to play in Ranji had they scored runs in Australia.

"If you are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, playing Ranji Trophy after 12 years...how is that right? It does not look good at all. It's not because they did not perform. Whether they score runs or not, you have to score runs in domestic cricket. So yes, certain strong measures have to be taken. But my point is, had we won or had Rohit or Kohli scored runs, would they have played Ranji Trophy? Don't look at the performances, make the system strong. Whether you score zero or lakhs of runs, play cricket by staying within the system," he said.

Kapil Dev has his say on BCCI's 'wives, family rule'

In the wake of the series loss in Australia, BCCI set a new rule to curb family time for the Indian players on the tour. According to this rule, wives or family members are not allowed with the players beyond a certain period of time.

While he disagreed with it being the reason behind the poor show, Kapil did agree with rule.

He said: "Taking your wives on tours is not wrong, but I feel that if the tour is one month, they should not be allowed for the first 20 days so that the players can play together as a team. Similarly, for a three-month campaign, at least for a month players should be left alone with the team. Also team should travel together, this is not an individual sport."

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