'As A Cricket Expert..,' Ex-CSK Star Feels Virat Kohli Should’ve Played Duleep Trophy
S Badrinath Feels Virat Kohli Could’ve Played the Duleep Trophy [.com]
Former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has expressed his opinion that Virat Kohli should have participated in the 2024 Duleep Trophy. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) granted Kohli a break, leading to his absence from the tournament, Badrinath believes that Kohli could have benefited from the competitive match time before the upcoming series.
Badrinath’s comments have sparked conversations among fans and cricket experts alike.
Badrinath On Kohli’s Absence From Duleep Trophy
Badrinath acknowledged Kohli as one of the best batters in the world and emphasised that match practice, particularly against spin bowlers, is essential in Indian conditions.
According to Badrinath, while practice in the nets is beneficial, playing even a single competitive match, such as the Duleep Trophy 2024, could be invaluable for a player of Kohli's stature.
He suggested that this experience could have helped Kohli “refresh his memory” of playing against quality spin, especially in the lead-up to important international series.
“How much ever you practice in the nets, it might be one match or two matches equal to 100 in the net sessions is what I feel. So, I would have loved to see, as purely as a cricket expert, I am not advising or asking him to do anything. But, as a cricket expert, I thought that one match, if he had played the Duleep Trophy, would help him play against the spinners, just to get into the group, just to refresh your memory about what it is to play in India against the spinners,” Badrinath said in an exclusive chat with Insidesport.
Kohli Starts Preparing For Bangladesh Tests
Despite skipping the Duleep Trophy, Kohli has been seen practising intensely with the Indian team after arriving directly in Chennai. The Men in Blue have begun preparing for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, and Kohli is training rigorously. He has spent significant time in the nets, focusing on honing his skills ahead of the series.