Indian cricket stars who have turned up their noses at playing Ranji Trophy in recent times despite NOT being on national duty have been read the riot act by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The Indian cricket board has issued a forceful diktat to the players who are waiting for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to commence instead of participating in the Ranji Trophy, making it mandatory to make themselves available.
According to Cricbuzz, the directive via email sent to the players, doesn’t include those who are part of the national squad or undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The apex body of Indian cricket has mandated players to join their state teams for the upcoming round of the Ranji Trophy.
A BCCI official issued a statement saying: “Players cannot simply prioritize international cricket or the IPL. They must make themselves available for domestic cricket and honour their commitments to their respective state teams.”
Ishan Kishan among the players likely to be impacted:
With keeper-batter Ishan Kishan supposedly on a break currently, but was reportedly training in Baroda with Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya ahead of IPL 2024, the directive is most likely to affect him. It also extends to the likes of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar – all of whom haven’t played first-class cricket in quite a few years.
It also applies to individuals like Shreyas Iyer, who has been dropped from the Test side due to poor form. Kishan notably opted out of playing in the Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand after being released from the Indian squad for the South Africa tour, prompting criticism.
It also applies to individuals like Shreyas Iyer, who has likely been dropped from the Test side due to poor form. Kishan notably opted out of playing in the Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand after being released from the Indian squad for the South Africa tour, prompting criticism.
