By The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken firm action against players who have been idling away their time while awaiting the commencement of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In a move aimed at fostering discipline among players, the BCCI, in collaboration with national selectors, has mandated their participation in state teams.
This directive, communicated to players via email on Monday, applies to those who are not currently part of the national squad or undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Effective immediately, players are required to join their respective state teams for the upcoming round of Ranji Trophy matches starting on February 16.
This directive has significant implications for players like Ishan Kishan, who have foregone competitive cricket in favor of IPL preparations, as recently reported by Cricbuzz. For example, Ishan, training in Baroda, is set to represent his home state Jharkhand against Rajasthan in Jamshedpur.
However, this mandate doesn’t solely target Ishan; it extends to other players such as Krunal Pandya and Deepak Chahar, who have been inactive in Ranji Trophy matches, and even to individuals like Shreyas Iyer, who have been excluded from the national team due to poor form.
According to a BCCI official familiar with the decision, “Players cannot prioritize international cricket or the IPL over domestic cricket. They must make themselves available for domestic cricket and fulfill their commitments to their respective state teams.”
Ishan’s prolonged absence from competitive cricket has sparked concerns within Indian cricket circles. His decision to refrain from representing Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy after being released from the Indian squad during the South Africa series has faced criticism. Despite facing backlash, Ishan has remained resolute in his choice to concentrate on IPL preparations.
