Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma has requested Virat Kohli to play for his state team in Ranji Trophy. He urged the veteran batter to get inspired by Mumbai cricketers, who have been competing in red-ball tournament. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has told the centrally contracted cricketers to give importance to Ranji Trophy and those who are skipping the matches will face consequences.

Virat Kohli last played for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in 2012 and is facing massive flak for not featuring in domestic contests despite struggling with the bat. Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan also lambasted him for his form.

Rohit Sharma joined the practice session of Mumbai to save his career while Shubman Gill will represent Punjab against Karnataka. However, Kohli hasn’t shown his interest.

“Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are in the squad and I feel Virat should play for Delhi whenever he is free. The Ranji Trophy camp is going on and we have seen over the years that Mumbai players, who are with the Indian team, participate in Ranji Trophy. Virat should take inspiration from them as Mumbai has a culture of giving importance to domestic cricket. This is missing in North India especially Delhi,” Ashok Sharma told The Indian Express.

Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer have competed in domestic tournaments for Mumbai. The powerhouse won the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Ashok Sharma mentioned that it is highly unlikely that Kohli and Pant will play for Delhi.

“The BCCI has issued directives in this regard but I don’t think Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are going to represent Delhi even in one match,” he added.

According to latest report, Pant has decided to play for Delhi.

Indian players will play the next Test series in England in June and there is a long gap between the Ranji Trophy matches and the tour of England.