India captain Rohit Sharma has emphasized the importance of players getting adequate rest to stay fresh for international commitments while supporting the BCCI‘s decision to make domestic cricket participation mandatory.
This guideline was part of the 10-point directive introduced by the BCCI following a review meeting—attended by Rohit—focused on addressing India’s recent underperformance in Test cricket. During a press interaction in Mumbai, Rohit acknowledged that some of his teammates had raised concerns about certain guidelines, including restrictions on families accompanying players during tours.
Speaking at the announcement of India’s Champions Trophy squad, Rohit said the concerns would be discussed with BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia, as communicated to Ajit Agarkar, the men’s selection committee chair, before the formal press conference. Agarkar later clarified to reporters that the guidelines were not intended as a “diktat” or “punishment.”
Rohit, the first current player to comment on the guidelines, explained that the tight international schedule often leaves little room for domestic cricket participation. “[In the] last six-seven years, if you go back and see our calendar, there hasn’t been a time where we were sitting at home for 45 days and there is cricket going on,” Rohit said. He highlighted how India’s domestic season overlaps with international commitments, making it challenging for players involved in all formats to participate. However, he stressed that players do not take their positions in the national team for granted.
“When you play so much international cricket through the year, you need some time off as well as a cricketer just to refresh, get your mind right, just to be ready for the upcoming season. But we have addressed it now, and nobody takes it for granted or anything like that,” Rohit added.
Although Rohit has not played a domestic first-class game since September 2016, he confirmed his participation in Mumbai’s upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir. Other Test regulars, including Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant, are also set to feature in the next round of domestic games.
Agarkar acknowledged the difficulty for players across all formats to engage in domestic cricket consistently but emphasized the importance of strengthening the domestic system. “Sometimes, to be fair to a lot of the players, it’s difficult if you’re playing all three formats. You don’t get as much time… But those who are available and fit, we expect them to play,” he said, reiterating that this expectation supports both player development and the domestic structure.
The BCCI’s guidelines also stated that skipping domestic cricket could impact players’ international careers and central contracts. Sanctions may extend to barring participation in the IPL. While addressing concerns, Agarkar clarified that the rules are not overly rigid but necessary for discipline and team cohesion. “It’s not a school. It’s not a punishment. You have some rules in place, and when you’re playing for the national team, you just follow those rules,” he said.
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