Kohli evidently struggled in the two Tests against Bangladesh after coming into the series after a frenzied T20 phase in the cricketing calendar which also included the T20 World Cup 2022. The former skipper only scored 45 runs across four innings but has been in fine form in the subsequent home season.

The third ODI between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place on January 24 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Delhi’s final group stage contest against Hyderabad is also slated to begin on the same day at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, the venue where the first ODI against New Zealand is being held.

Shastri strongly feels that Kohli, who is very well adept in the ODI format, can afford to skip the final ODI to play in the Ranji Trophy fixture. The former all-rounder feels that it will help him in the transition between formats ahead of the crucial Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, which begins on February 9. He said on air while commentating during the series opener between India and New Zealand:

Shastri continued:

The Pat Cummins-led side have only lost one Test in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. They are slated to play four Tests against India, with the latter requiring a series win to qualify for the finals of the competition.

“25 years ago Sachin Tendulkar went to play in CCI against a Australian team and got a double hundred" - Ravi Shastri

Citing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar as an example of how little first-class cricket in between can spruce things up, Ravi Shastri said:

Shastri continued:

The iconic game at CCI in 1998 saw Tendulkar score an unbeaten 205 as Mumbai racked up a 10-wicket win over the visiting Australians. Tendulkar negated the threat posed by the imperious Shane Warne by attacking him to oblivion. The legendary leg-spinner ended the contest with figures of 0-111 off 16 overs.

Delhi are having a forgettable domestic season and have already sacked their selection committee. The inclusion of Virat Kohli, albeit for a game, could prove to be beneficial for both parties.

Do you think Virat Kohli needs to dwell back into domestic cricket before the Border-Gavaskar series? Let us know what you think.

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