The Indian Cricket Team is scheduled to play a gruelling home season which includes 13 Test matches. While this provides a great opportunity to the team to climb in the ICC rankings and attain the number 1 status, it also has its fair share of challenges.
One of the challenges for the players is to maintain the fitness levels right through the series. Thus, when Test skipper Virat Kohli reportedly asked for a rest from the Duleep Trophy final, which is scheduled to be held under lights from September 10-14, it was a decision aimed to remain fit and revitalised before the season.
While the purpose behind this plea is understood, there are so many other reasons which demand that International players take part in domestic tournaments.
Here in this list, we take a look at 5 reasons why International players should not skip domestic fixtures.
#1 Match Practice in home conditions
Over the years, home teams have always prepared pitches to suit their strengths, and this process is justified by all means. India has always been a spinners paradise and one of the reasons for this is the slow, sluggish and spinning nature of pitches.
While Indian batsmen have always found it easy to adjust to the spinning conditions, the visitors have never been at sea. However, this system has seen a decline in the recent past, when even the Indian batsmen have floundered against spinners.
Thus, it becomes imperative for the batsmen to spend as much time in home conditions against spinners and hone their skills. Kohli, for instance, is one of the premier batsmen in the squad and thus his form and approach becomes pivotal for the team.
#2 First-hand account of domestic talent
Often due to hectic cricketing schedule, the International cricketers lose track of the developments of the talent brimming at the grassroots level. While many may argue that spotting talent is the job of the selectors, if this knowledge is passed on to the senior players in the National set-up, the process can be a more cohesive one.
For instance, if Kohli would play the Duleep Trophy final, he would have seen the performance of someone like a Kuldeep Yadav from close quarters and then accordingly decide if he fits into his scheme of things as far as National team is concerned. And with a crucial home season beckoning, the captain would have been aware of his reserve stocks and strategise accordingly.
#3 Influence on the domestic players
One of the reasons behind the glorious success of the Indian Premier League is the presence and influence of International players. The young domestic players get a chance to rub shoulders with the best in the world and this has a tremendous impact on their game and holds them in great shape when they are taking the next step in their careers.
Often due to the strenuous International fixtures, the players do not have time and bandwidth to come down to the domestic level and apply their trade, and thus they miss out on passing on expertise and cricketing acumen to the young budding cricketers. Thus, whenever they get the opportunity they should grab on to this opportunity to play along with the domestic players and share the nitty-gritty of cricket.
Practical information holds the young players in great stead and this has a great influence on their game.
#4 Ironing out flaws in their own technique
International cricket is a cruel taskmaster and any chinks in the armour is bound to be exposed at the highest level. Players all around the world are well aware of their deficiencies and due to the packed schedule they do not have the time to go back to the drawing board and work on their techniques.
This is why they should jump at the opportunity of playing domestic cricket, for this allows them to go away from the incessant glare of the camera and work on their game and eliminate the deficiencies which have crept into their game.
Also, domestic cricket is only next to International games and thus any change in technique can be tested in match scenarios against high-quality oppositions.
#5 Improvement in the standard of cricket
Over the years, teams which have dominated world cricket have had a very robust First class structure. Bench strength is very crucial in teams which plan to dictate cricket and this is where First class cricket is very important.
Thus, it becomes imperative for cricketing boards to maintain a very high standard in the domestic set-up, and the players who take part are critical to this cause. Hence, when International players come to play domestic cricket, the quality increases which has a bearing on the competition and accordingly has an effect on the players.
Also, it becomes the responsibility of the International players to make sure that the level of First class is very healthy and vibrant.
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