India, Aug. 13 -- Since his India debut, Virat Kohli has featured in only two domestic first-class matches, Rohit Sharma three. Even Shubman Gill has played only four. Indian's globe-trotting cricketers play, or have room to play, so little first-class cricket that it's news when they do. Many of India's leading stars will turn up for the Duleep Trophy opener in Bengaluru on September 5.

Although Kohli and Rohit are yet to confirm participation and pace ace Jasprit Bumrah won't exert himself on the domestic lane, shifting the venue from Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh to the M Chinnaswamy stadium for the tournament-opener is respecting the stature of the strengthened playing pool.

MANY TWEAKS

Pre-IPL, when the calendar was less congested, ...