Former cricketer Madan Lal on Tuesday said that he is feeling “very happy” to see Indian men’s cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli taking part in the second part of the Ranji Trophy. India captain Rohit Sharma will take part in the upcoming second phase of the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai. Kohli has also confirmed his availability for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Railways, according to sources in Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). Virat’s last appearance in the Ranji Trophy dates back to November 2012 against Uttar Pradesh, in which he was dismissed for 14 and 42 runs in both innings by pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Speaking to ANI, Madan Lal said that senior players like Rohit and Virat’s presence in the first-class cricket will help other cricketers to grow.

“I’m so happy that all these players (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli) are going to play first class. You need to play matches in the tournament which has made you the player. You should play domestic matches whenever you get a chance, because, the young players can learn from you. Maybe someday in the future, these players will become great players…,” Madan Lal told ANI.

He added that If Kohli and Rishabh Pant play for Delhi, then it will help them to qualify for the knockouts in first-class cricket.

“The morale of the team also increases a lot when players like Kohli and Rohit play. If a team is struggling to qualify like Delhi. If Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant play, then they have a chance of winning. So this was a very important step…this rule was there before as well. But they used to avoid it. We never avoided first-class matches,” he added.

Rohit’s return to first-class cricket coincides with mounting discussions about his future in Test cricket. At 37, he remains determined to continue in the longest format, despite stepping aside for India’s XI in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney earlier this month.

Rohit’s recent performances in red-ball cricket have raised questions. During the Australia tour, he managed only 31 runs in five innings across three Tests. This followed a lean patch at home in the 2023-24 season, where he averaged just 13.30 in ten innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Under his leadership, India suffered 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand — their first-ever at home in a series of three or more matches.

Things started to change after India received a 3-1 bashing at the hands of Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a much harder stance regarding the participation of Indian international stars in domestic cricket.

Earlier on Thursday, BCCI released new policies for Team India, making it “mandatory” to participate in domestic matches to remain “eligible” for selection in the national team and for the central contracts.

In the policy, BCCI stated that taking part in domestic cricket will remain connected to the cricket ecosystem. The statement added that any exceptions to taking part in domestic cricket will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances.

Former India fast bowler Madan Lal voiced his disappointment over reports of leaked discussions from the Indian dressing room, which hinted at a rift within the team. He questioned how such internal matters were disclosed and stated that if these rumours were true, it would reflect poorly on the team.

There were reports of disquiet in the Indian team dressing room after their 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, claiming that head coach Gautam Gambhir is believed to have said, “Bahut ho gaya (I’ve had enough) in his dressing room speech, with the dressing room environment being ‘far from ideal’.

Speaking to IANS, the 1983 World Cup veteran said, “Rift… look, when you lose, rumours do tend to spread outside. What’s the truth in it? We don’t know anything about it – what is it, what is this rift? If I find out that there’s a rift going on, then we can understand about it. What is the rift for? On which point or question is there a rift?”

“This is not normal; they (media) just talk like this. Otherwise, if you see, how are these dressing room discussions leaked? Rift? What is a rift? We should know what the rift is, right? I mean, knowing through social media or the press doesn’t make it certain. Either someone openly says, ‘This is it, this is the rift’. Are you sure there’s a rift? I’m not sure. You’re not sure. Even those talking nonsense on TV- are they sure? What sources do they have? What proof do they have?” he questioned.

Amid speculation of unrest in the dressing room following a huge loss in the Boxing Day Test, Gambhir clarified in a presser that it were “just reports, not truth”.

The 73-year-old veteran stated that if such rumours are true, it is not a positive sign for the team. He emphasised the importance of the team sitting down to discuss and resolve the issues for the overall betterment of the side.

“At the moment all these rumours are not good for the team. We have a good team, but the only thing is, there’s always the possibility of sitting down and talking. If you can square the series with just one match, sit down and talk professionally. You’re not an amateur player. You’re a professional and have been playing for a long time.

“If these things are happening, then this is very bad. I’m sorry. They are very mature players, and if they are behaving like this, I think it’s not a good sign for Indian cricket. You can always sort everything out in the room. What more do you need? Nobody is bigger than the game. What does the team need? That’s what should be done,” he added.

India, after a huge win in the series opener, are currently trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Reflecting on India’s performance, the former pacer admitted that the team did commit mistakes in the series that cost them matches and also urged the top-order batters to score some runs.

“We have made mistakes in the series. Our top batsmen haven’t scored runs. For example, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have only managed one century. Rishabh Pant hasn’t been scoring runs either. These are the three main batsmen, and if they don’t perform, it becomes very difficult. The only consistent batsmen are Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy,” he said.

He continued, “We missed opportunities in the last Test match. We had a chance and managed to get back into the game, but then we let the tailenders, the number 10 and 11 batsmen, score so many runs. That’s where we lost the game. A target of 340 was always going to be a big total to chase. If they hadn’t scored those runs, the target would have been around 250-260, and we might have won the Test match.

“We also dropped catches at crucial moments. And Australia, they took those chances. On the last day, Australia caught every single opportunity and bowled exceptionally well. That’s how they won the match. If your top batsmen don’t score runs – I’m not saying everyone needs to score, but out of the top three, at least one or two need to step up and deliver.”

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma© AFP

Representative Image© AFP

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal expressed happiness with star India batter Virat Kohli’s century in the Perth Test against Australia, saying that players like him who have performed so well over the years consistently cannot be criticised harshly because their comebacks will leave the doubters “embarrassed”. Virat slammed his first Test century in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) conditions in almost six years, breaking the Test ton curse at Perth with an unbeaten knock that witnessed him play plenty of ‘Vintage Kohli’ shots. His last ton in SENA came in December 2018 in Australia, at the same venue.

Speaking to ANI, Madan Lal said that one cannot ever shut everyone in the age of social media, as everyone is an ‘expert’ here.

“Everyone is an expert here (in social media). As a player, we have never criticised because of his performances. How can someone criticise a player who has performed so well for the last 10-15 years? Sometimes, you can play a poor shot, can deliver a bad performance. Even he knows the standard he has set in. You cannot score in every match you play in. You cannot criticise him as a whole because he will always come back and leave you embarrassed. You have to keep in mind that more matches are available with him,” said Madan.

During the match, Virat scored an unbeaten 100 in 143 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. His runs came at strike rate of 69.93. After scoring the century, Virat had a sight of relief as he raised his bat above his head.

Now, Virat has scored his 81st international century and continues his chase for idol Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries. This is also his 30th Test century. Now in 119 matches, Virat has scored 9,145 runs at an average of 48.13, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties. His best score is 254*.

Also, with 54 List-A centuries, nine T20 centuries and 37 first-class centuries, Virat has completed 100 centuries in professional cricket.

Virat has also become the seventh player to complete 2,000 runs in Border-Gavaskar Trophy history. In 26 BGT matches, he has scored 2,147 centuries at an average of 48.79, with nine centuries and five fifties. His best score is 186.

This is Virat’s seventh Test century in Australia, the most by an Indian batter as he has now overtaken Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored six Test tons in Australia. He has also equalled England’s Wally Hammond for second-most centuries in Tests in Australia. The most Test centuries in Australia are by England’s Jack Hobbs, with nine tons.

In Tests in Australia, Virat has scored 1,457 runs at an average of 56.03, with seven centuries and four fifties. His best score is 169.

This is Virat’s 12th international century in Australia, the most by any batter. He has scored 3,531 runs in 43 matches and 55 innings at an average of 56.95 in Australia, with 12 centuries and 19 fifties and best score of 169.

He has levelled with Sunil Gavaskar (seven centuries against West Indies) for most Test hundreds in an away country for India.

He has also equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of nine centuries against Australia for joint third-most centuries in Tests against an opponent for India. The most Test hundreds against an opponent for India is by Sunil Gavaskar, who has 13 centuries against West Indies.

Coming to the match, India won the toss and opted to bat first. India was bundled out for just 150 runs, with Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 in 59 balls, with six fours and a six) and Rishabh Pant (37 in 78 balls, with three centuries and a six) playing crucial knocks and forming a vital 48-run sixth wicket stand.

Josh Hazlewood (4/29) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, with skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc getting two wickets each. Australia’s reply was even worse and they were reduced to 79/9 at one point. However, Mitchell Starc (26) and Alex Carey (21) took the Aussies to 104 runs, giving India a lead of 46 runs.

Jasprit Bumrah was the top-most bowler for India, taking 5/30 in 18 overs. Harshit Rana also impressed on debut with a spell of 3/48.

In their second innings, India swelled their lead massively. There was a 201-run opening stand between KL Rahul (77 in 176 balls, with five fours) and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal also had a fine 74-run stand with Devdutt Padikkal (25 in 71 balls, with two fours). Later, he succumbed to Mitchell Marsh for 161 in 297 balls, with 15 fours and three sixes. An 89-run stand between Virat (100* in 143 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) and Washington Sundar (29 in 94 balls, with a six) and a 77-run stand with Virat and Nitish Kumar Reddy (38* in 27 balls, with three fours and two sixes) pushed India to 487/6. India lead by 533 runs, setting the Aussies a gigantic 534 runs to win.

Nathan Lyon (2/96) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood got a wicket each.

At the end of the third day’s play, Australia was 12/3, with Bumrah striking twice and Mohammed Siraj getting one. On the next day, despite two early wickets, Travis Head (89 in 101 balls, with eight fours) and Mitchell Marsh (47 in 67 balls, with three fours and two sixes) did put on a fine fightback, but Indian managed to curb the resistance and bundle out Aussies for just 238 runs, sealing a 295-run win.

Bumrah (3/42) and Siraj (3/51) were the top bowlers for India. Washington Sundar got two scalps and Nitish, and Harshit got a wicket each.

Bumrah took home the ‘Player of the Match’ for his eight wickets in the match.