Aakash Chopra, a former player for India, has denied reports that Virat Kohli might play county cricket before India’s Test series against England later this year. He noted that it is doubtful that a player for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would miss Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in order to play domestic cricket in England.
In the just finished Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024–25, India lost against Australia 1-3. Kohli only managed 90 runs in his other eight innings of the series, after scoring an undefeated 100 in India’s second innings of the first Test in Perth. When the BCCI selectors and officials evaluate the performance of India captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, it is said that one of the main topics of conversation would be Kohli’s poor play.
Virat Kohli had an unforgettable series in Australia after hitting a hundred in the second innings of the opening test match. He kept knicking the ball to the slips while he was outside off stump. In practically every innings, the Australians bowled him in that line, exposing his vulnerability there.
Virat Kohli Won’t Miss IPL – Aakash Chopra
The former India opener stated in a video posted on his YouTube channel, “Aakash Chopra,” that the first eight rounds of county cricket conflict with the 2025 Indian Premier League, thereby eliminating the possibility that Kohli would use that method to get ready for the Test match against England.
“There was a report that Virat Kohli will go and play county cricket after the IPL so that he gets prepared for the Test series against England. Once this report came, the keyboard warriors spread the news about his commitment. You should check a little when and where the matches are happening,” he said (4:20).
“I saw a post from Chandresh Narayanan on X. He asked what you people are doing and he is right. Eight rounds of county cricket will be over by the time the IPL final is played. Wake up if someone is trying to say that Kohli will skip the IPL and prepare for Tests by playing county,” Chopra added.
Chopra said that India’s first Test match against England begins on June 20 and that the ninth round of county cricket begins on June 22. Thus, he came to the conclusion that unwarranted rumors were being propagated and that Virat Kohli would not be participating in county cricket.
Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Must Play Next Round Of Ranji Trophy- Aakash Chopra
In the same video, Aakash Chopra urged Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play Ranji Trophy games before the ODI series against England
“However, there is one thing for sure. The next round of the Ranji Trophy is starting on January 23. So both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should play those two rounds as T20I cricket will be happening at that time. These guys don’t play T20I cricket. So play Ranji Trophy cricket,” he said (6:05).
According to the former cricket player who is now a broadcaster, the two may not be given the option to avoid certain matches and may even wish to participate.
“The last time when there was a chance to play first-class cricket, both said – ‘We don’t need to.’ That was the Duleep Trophy which was organized to prepare you for the long Test season. I don’t think they would be given the choice now. They might still have the choice but I don’t think they will choose to skip it now,” Chopra observed.
Chopra pointed out that if Rohit and Kohli didn’t participate in the Ranji Trophy, it would be incorrect even from an aesthetic standpoint. He did concede, though, that since India’s next Test isn’t until June, the two matches won’t have a significant impact.
Also Read : https://goworldwide.co.in/bgt-2024-25-virat-kohli-tarnished-his-reputation/