Ex-India cricketer claims not playing Duleep Trophy led to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s cheap dismissals against Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh are locking horns in the first Test of the two-match series at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Bangladesh won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first on a difficult track. As hoped, the visitors got a solid start from their fast bowlers as the Indian top order failed to make a mark. 

Hasan Mahmud drew first blood for his team with the wicket of Indian captain Rohit Sharma for just six runs. India then lost Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli for cheap runs as Mahmud was brilliant with the new ball. Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to form a decent partnership, but the Bangla pacer removed the former to claim his fourth wicket.

Later, it was Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin who brought India back into the game with a 199-run partnership. Jadeja was dismissed for 86 runs on Day 2, while Ashwin, who had completed his century on the opening day, soon followed his partner in crime. The duo, however, helped India reach a fighting score of 376.

Also Read: Michael Vaughan lauds R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja’s fightback during 1st day of Chennai Test

‘They suddenly came out cold’ - Sanjay Manjrekar reflects on Rohit and Kohli’s dismissal

Reflecting on Rohit and Kohli’s dismissal, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that both should have played the Duleep Trophy 2024. While many top cricketers participated in the first round of the domestic red ball tournament, Rohit and Kohli were not picked in any of the teams.

Manjrekar said that both of them had to bat without any preparation. Notably, Kohli is playing a Test match after eight months. He was not part of the team that played against England earlier this year.

“I said a few weeks back as well that considering the amount of international matches Rohit and Virat played in the last five years, they could have been picked for the Duleep Trophy and I’m sure the time out there would have just held them at least in the first innings where they suddenly came out cold and having had to bat first,” Manjrekar said.