The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Jay Shah, has issued a stern warning to top cricketers, including centrally contracted and India ‘A’ players, emphasizing the critical role of domestic cricket in national selection. In a letter obtained by the Indian Express, Shah highlighted the worrying trend of players prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic red-ball cricket. He underscored that participation in domestic red-ball games serves as a fundamental criterion for national selection and emphasized that neglecting it would result in severe consequences.
Shah emphasized the pivotal role of domestic cricket in shaping Indian cricket’s foundation and stressed that every aspiring cricketer must prove themselves in the domestic circuit to earn a spot in the national team. Despite acknowledging the IPL’s popularity and success, Shah urged players to recognize the significance of domestic red-ball cricket and uphold the legacy of dedication exemplified by cricketing legends like Sunil Gavaskar.
The letter comes in the wake of notable players such as Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Deepak Chahar opting to skip the final round of Ranji Trophy games to prepare for the IPL season. While Kishan cited working on technical aspects of his game as a reason for skipping domestic matches, Shah reiterated the board’s stance that fitness must not be used as an excuse to bypass domestic commitments.
Shah’s warning underscores the BCCI’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and importance of domestic cricket as a breeding ground for nurturing talent and ensuring the competitiveness of Indian cricket on the global stage.
