"The moment they go, the level gets elevated" - Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's performances in 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy

Former India player Aakash Chopra has noted that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy has elevated the level of the tournament. While highlighting that the duo were bound to score runs, he added that their presence drew attention to domestic cricket.

Kohli scored 131 runs off 101 deliveries in Delhi's four-wicket win against Andhra Pradesh and a 61-ball 77 in their seven-run victory against Gujarat. Rohit smashed a 94-ball 155 in Mumbai's eight-wicket win against Sikkim, but was dismissed for a golden duck in their 51-run triumph against Uttarakhand.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener pointed out that Kohli and Rohit's presence raised the standard of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy.

"Rohit and Kohli have scored runs, and they had to score runs. One scored in Jaipur and the other in the COE (Center of Excellence). One demolished Sikkim and the other made Andhra's rail, which was nice to see. Suddenly, domestic cricket became a part of the conversation," Chopra said. (1:45) "If Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma go, they are going to score a lot of runs. It's not like they were going to struggle, and it's not like they won't be selected if they don't score runs here, but the moment they go, the level gets elevated. You suddenly become a point of discussion in mainstream news, and that's what you want," he added.

Aakash Chopra urged Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play domestic cricket when they are not representing India. He added that the two stalwarts should also play first-class cricket if they wish.

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"Do you actually value the runs then?" - Aakash Chopra questions the standard of domestic cricket amid 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed an 84-ball 190 in Bihar's 397-run win against Arunachal Pradesh. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra questioned the standard of domestic cricket, considering the mammoth totals being posted and the big scores being chased easily in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy.

"Everyone is scoring hundreds. 400 is being chased somewhere and 560-plus is being scored somewhere else. It's a serious question. What about the standard? So many runs have been scored. Do you actually value the runs then? If 550-plus runs are being scored and 300 runs are being chased in 30 overs, that's not good," he said. (3:00)

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that while new teams have been added due to court judgments, a pathway for their improvement hasn't been formulated.

"Actually, it's a poor reflection. It happened after the Lodha committee, when so many states were added. Teams were added, but the infrastructure and the road from bottom to top weren't prepared. It was a flawed system. The gap is phenomenal," Chopra observed.

To conclude, Aakash Chopra noted that too many runs are being scored. He added that it's a question the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) needs to address, highlighting that it cannot just be about batting and that the bowlers should also have a role.

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Edited by Kartik Iyer