The beginning of the year 2025 saw BCCI’s 10-point diktat, aimed to end the ‘star culture’ within the dressing room. One of the disciplinary directives was prioritizing domestic cricket, pressing it to be the primary eligibility to get selected into the side. While younger players consistently returned to their state sides whenever not on India duty, the absence of senior stars, particularly Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, continued to fuel debate.

Putting all chatters to rest, the duo, alongside several other India regulars, returned to the Ranji Trophy last season in January. Rohit played against Jammu and Kashmir while Kohli faced Railways at home. However, what was their long-waited return for their respective states, turned out to be their final appearances in whites. A few months late

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