The BCCI is said to be displeased with the young cricketers who are opting out of the ongoing Ranji Trophy and already have started to prepare for IPL 2024.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) isn’t pleased with the way certain established players are approaching red-ball cricket, particularly about the Ranji Trophy. Recently, head coach Rahul Dravid emphasized the importance of players like Ishan Kishan getting back into the groove by participating in some cricket before being reconsidered for the national team.
However, despite Dravid’s advice, Kishan has not reached out to his state team, Jharkhand, expressing his willingness to play in the Ranji Trophy. Currently, he’s engrossed in practice sessions at the Kiran More Cricket Academy in Baroda for the upcoming IPL 2024 alongside the Pandya brothers.
For players not engaged in national duties, the BCCI may urge them to contribute to their state teams, provided they are in good shape. As the IPL approaches, numerous players have already shifted their focus to the shorter format without giving due consideration to the nuances of first-class cricket or participating in red-ball encounters in the Ranji Trophy.
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Currently, prominent players such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, and Umesh Yadav, who are not part of the current Indian team, are actively participating in the Ranji Trophy. Meanwhile, some players have already shifted their focus to IPL training, seemingly diverting attention away from the Ranji Trophy.
In a recent update from the Times of India, it has been disclosed by a source from the BCCI that there is discontent within the board regarding the attitude of some well-established Indian players towards red-ball cricket. The board is taking a proactive step by planning to send notices to all players, Ishan Kishan included, urging them to make themselves available for Ranji Trophy matches if they are fit and ready to play.
“In the next few days, all the players will be communicated by the BCCI to play for their state team in the Ranji Trophy, as long as they are not on national duty, with only those who are unfit and recovering at the NCA being granted an exemption. The Board isn’t too happy with certain players already in IPL mode from January,” a source said.
It’s still uncertain how players, especially those with their sights on IPL 2024, will react to this directive. Will they follow the BCCI’s appeal and join the Ranji Trophy, or will there be more clashes between players and the board?
What’s clear is that the BCCI is committed to emphasizing the significance of domestic cricket and making sure players give it priority over lucrative T20 leagues.
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