Kohli, Rohit's Vijay Hazare Return Sparks Debate: Is Forced Domestic Play Beneficial?

• Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returned to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after over a decade, scoring centuries for Delhi and Mumbai respectively.
• Their participation was mandated by a BCCI directive for centrally contracted players to play domestic cricket before international selection.
• The move aims to boost domestic cricket's relevance and ensure senior players remain match-ready, especially with a thinning ODI calendar.
• Critics question if forcing legends back truly benefits Indian cricket, arguing it exposes structural imbalances and isn't optimal preparation for veterans.
• The dominant centuries by Kohli and Rohit highlighted the significant quality gap between them and the domestic opposition.

Why It Matters: Kohli and Rohit's domestic return sparks debate on BCCI's mandate and its true impact on Indian cricket.