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Yashasvi Jaiswal Joins Mumbai Team Amid BCCI’s Domestic Focus
Young Opener Prepares for Ranji Trophy Fixture
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the promising Indian opener and one of the standout performers in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series in Australia, has been instructed to join the Mumbai team. Following a stellar performance in the BGT, where he scored 391 runs in 10 innings, Jaiswal has now been directed to shift his focus to domestic cricket. The left-hander will train with the Mumbai squad at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on Wednesday, ahead of their upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture.
BCCI’s Mandate for Domestic Participation
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been emphasizing the importance of domestic cricket participation for centrally contracted players who are not part of ongoing international squads. This directive aims to strengthen domestic cricket and ensure top players remain connected to the grassroots level. Mumbai’s next Ranji Trophy match is scheduled to begin on January 23 against Jammu and Kashmir.
Rohit Sharma and Other Stars Join Domestic Preparation
India captain Rohit Sharma was spotted at the Mumbai nets on Tuesday, training at the Wankhede Stadium for nearly two hours. However, his participation in the Ranji Trophy match remains uncertain due to an impending shift to white-ball cricket, with the Champions Trophy on the horizon. Rohit is expected to communicate his availability to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) soon.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill is likely to represent Punjab in their Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka in Bengaluru, as per sources from the Punjab Cricket Association. Speculation also surrounds the possible participation of Virat Kohli for Delhi in their fixture against Saurashtra in Rajkot. If confirmed, it would be Kohli’s first Ranji appearance in 12 years.
Jaiswal’s Workload and Participation
Having endured a grueling schedule during the BGT, Jaiswal was rested for the ongoing five-match T20I series against England. Despite this, he has been called to bolster Mumbai’s domestic campaign. It remains uncertain whether he will play in the January 23-26 match, with clarity expected when the Mumbai squad is finalized on January 20.
Gautam Gambhir’s Stance on Domestic Cricket
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir recently reiterated the importance of domestic cricket. Speaking after the BGT series in Sydney, Gambhir stated, “I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. That is how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given.”
Broader Implications for Indian Cricket
The participation of Indian stars in domestic cricket not only strengthens the Ranji Trophy’s competitive edge but also provides younger players with invaluable exposure. As other players like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul’s availability remain unclear, the focus shifts to how many top-tier cricketers will embrace this initiative.
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