• sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 02/19/2024
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BCCI secretary Jay Shah has issued a stern warning to centrally-contracted Indian players, cautioning them against prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket. This comes in the wake of Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Deepak Chahar opting out of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season despite requests from BCCI officials.

In a letter addressed to the players earlier this week, Shah expressed concern over the emerging trend of players giving preference to the IPL over domestic cricket. He emphasized the crucial role that domestic cricket has played in shaping Indian cricket and highlighted its significance as the backbone of the sport in the country.

Shah’s letter stated, “However, there is a trend that has started to emerge and is a cause for concern. Some players have begun prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket, a shift that was not anticipated. Domestic cricket has always been the foundation upon which Indian cricket stands, and it has never been undervalued in our vision for the sport.”

The BCCI secretary stressed that domestic cricket serves as the feeder line to Team India, and the board’s vision has always been clear – every cricketer aspiring to play for India must prove themselves in domestic cricket. Shah underlined that performance in domestic tournaments remains a critical yardstick for selection, and non-participation in domestic cricket will have severe implications.

This letter brings attention once again to the Ishan Kishan situation, where the wicketkeeper-batsman has refrained from participating in any of the Ranji Trophy games for Jharkhand this season. Despite repeated requests from BCCI officials and facing concerns regarding his participation, Kishan has reportedly shown reluctance. Shah’s letter also addresses the cases of Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar, who have been absent from the Ranji Trophy despite playing in other domestic competitions.

The communication from the BCCI secretary emphasizes the need for players to prioritize domestic cricket, reinforcing its critical role in the development and selection process of Indian cricketers. Shah’s warning underscores the board’s commitment to upholding the value of domestic cricket in the overall structure of Indian cricket.