Kirti Azad said, Rohit and Kohli should also play domestic cricket when they are free.

New Delhi: Kirti Azad, a member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, on Thursday supported BCCI’s directive for cricketers to play Ranji Trophy, saying it is a good initiative and should be applicable to every member of the Indian team, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. . Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer have lost their central contracts due to not playing Ranji Trophy.

“This directive is a very good initiative,” Azad told PTI in a video. Everyone should play Ranji Trophy. Five-day cricket is real cricket. Playing domestic cricket is a good thing.” He said, ”Whenever players are free, they should play Ranji cricket for their state. Be it Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli. The state gave you a chance to become a player so that you can play for the country.” However, he said that it is not right to punish only Ishaan and Shreyas.

He said, “It is not right to punish only two.” Everyone should be punished. Everyone should be seen equally.” Azad declined to comment on whether the door was now closed for Ishaan and Shreyas.

He said, “My question is whether he is playing enough domestic cricket. They are playing T20 cricket and there is a T20 cricket league in every state. When we used to play, all the members used to play for the state and felt proud in it but it is not the case now.” He praised Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan for striking a balance between T20 cricket and Ranji Trophy.