• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news, WTC 23-25
• 03/10/2024
• 0 Comments

India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, shared his thoughts on the recently announced ‘Test Cricket Incentive Scheme’ by the BCCI, aimed at recognising and rewarding excellence in Test cricket. Dravid’s comments come in the wake of India’s impressive 4-1 series victory against England, highlighting the significance of Test cricket in the current cricketing landscape.

Recognition of Test Cricket’s Rigour

Dravid welcomed the initiative, emphasising that the scheme’s purpose is to acknowledge the challenges and rigour of Test cricket rather than solely serving as a financial incentive. He hoped that monetary rewards would not be the primary motivation for players to participate in Test matches, underscoring the importance of recognising the format’s intrinsic value.

Drawing attention to R Ashwin’s recent achievement of playing his 100th Test match, Dravid emphasised the significance of celebrating milestones in Test cricket. He commended Ashwin’s dedication and longevity in the format, highlighting players’ arduous journey to succeed in Test cricket.

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Concerns Over Domestic Schedule

Dravid echoed concerns raised by players regarding the congested schedule of domestic competitions, particularly the Ranji Trophy. He acknowledged the physical toll it takes on players, particularly fast bowlers, and emphasised the need for a comprehensive review of the domestic calendar to ensure player welfare.

Responding to queries about excluding certain players from BCCI’s centrally contracted list, Dravid clarified that no player is permanently sidelined from selection consideration. He emphasised that players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer remain in contention based on their performances in domestic cricket, highlighting the selectors’ role in player contracts.