Cricket

BCCI's Domestic Cricket Mandate: A Step in the Right Direction, Says Mohinder AmarnathLegendary Indian cricketer Mohinder Amarnath has lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to prioritize domestic cricket, making it mandatory for all fit and available players to represent their state teams."It's a positive move that should have been implemented long ago," Amarnath said at the launch of the JITO Premier League. "It should apply to all cricketers, not just a select few."Amarnath emphasized the importance of domestic cricket in developing players' skills and fostering a strong foundation for the national team. "Everybody should play domestic cricket," he asserted.When asked about the specific cases of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer being instructed to play domestic cricket, Amarnath stated, "There should be no need for warnings. Decisions should be made and applied to everyone."He urged the BCCI to enforce strict rules and ensure that all Indian players participate in domestic competitions. "Players cannot make their own decisions," he said. "It's up to the BCCI and state associations to determine what's best."Amarnath also praised R. Ashwin for surpassing 500 wickets in Tests and playing his 100th Test for India. "He's a fantastic cricketer," Amarnath said. "I remember watching him for the first time when I was a consultant with Bengal Cricket. He showed his class immediately."Amarnath expressed surprise at Ashwin's occasional exclusion from the team but expressed confidence in his continued success. "He's a fine bowler both at home and overseas," he said. "I'm sure he will keep performing and contributing to the team."

India's Rohit Sharma Stresses Importance of Domestic Cricket for All PlayersIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has emphasized the paramount importance of players making themselves available for domestic cricket when not engaged in national duties. This directive aims to discourage players from prioritizing one format over another and ensure the strength of domestic cricket, which is the foundation of Indian cricket.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a firm stance on this issue, excluding ODI World Cup participants Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the pool of centrally contracted cricketers for failing to comply with the board's instructions regarding the Ranji Trophy.Rohit Sharma reiterated that this directive applies to all players, not just a select few. "It is important that we go and play that," he said. "It is not for just a few cricketers, it is for everyone to make sure that whenever you're available, and fine, you should be able to play domestic cricket."The Indian skipper highlighted the quality and excitement of domestic cricket, as witnessed in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy semi-finals. "When games like that happen, you see the quality and everything coming into display for everyone to watch," he said. "It is important that we give importance to domestic cricket, which is the core of Indian cricket."Rohit's comments come as India prepares for the final Test against England in Dharamsala. Despite his busy schedule, he made time to follow the Ranji Trophy semi-finals, including the match between his own domestic side Mumbai and Tamil Nadu.The BCCI's directive and Rohit Sharma's emphasis on domestic cricket underscore the importance of a strong domestic structure for the development and success of Indian cricket. By ensuring that players are available for domestic matches, the board aims to maintain the quality and competitiveness of the domestic circuit, which is essential for nurturing future talent and strengthening the national team.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to announce its squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, but rumors of Rinku Singh's inclusion have been circulating on social media. These speculations stem from the young batter's recent trip to Dharamsala, where India's Test team is preparing for the fifth and final Test against England.While Rinku has not officially joined the Test squad, sources suggest he was summoned for a pre-T20 World Cup photoshoot with the team. This timing coincides with the conclusion of India's Test assignments before the World Cup, making it an ideal opportunity for the BCCI to capture images of potential players.Rinku's impressive performances have also fueled the rumors. In T20Is, he boasts an exceptional average of 89, despite playing as a finisher. He has amassed 356 runs at a strike rate of 176.24, including two half-centuries.During his visit to Dharamsala, Rinku was photographed with England head coach Brendon McCullum, his former coach at the Kolkata Knight Riders. This reunion further fueled speculation about Rinku's potential inclusion in the World Cup squad.The BCCI selection committee is expected to finalize the roster midway through the Indian Premier League (IPL), which begins after the England series. This timing allows the selectors to assess players' form and fitness before making their final decisions.Rinku's inclusion in the World Cup squad would be a testament to his remarkable rise in Indian cricket. His ability to perform under pressure and his impressive batting average make him a strong contender for a place in the team.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released its annual player retainership list for the 2023-24 season, with notable exclusions and additions.Exclusions:Out-of-favor duo Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer have been dropped from the list. The BCCI cited their absence from Ranji Trophy matches as a reason for their exclusion. Both players were previously in Grade B and C, respectively, and will now lose access to NCA facilities and BCCI insurance.Notable Gainers:KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Siraj have been promoted to Grade A, earning Rs 5 crore annually. Kuldeep Yadav has moved up to Grade B, earning Rs 3 crore.New Additions:The BCCI has added 11 new players to the central contracts list, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Jitesh Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, and Rajat Patidar. These players will earn Rs 1 crore each.Fast Bowling Contracts:In a historic move, the BCCI has recommended five players for fast bowling contracts: Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa.Retained Players:India captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah have been retained in the Grade A+ bracket, earning Rs 7 crore each.Impact:The exclusion of Kishan and Iyer has sparked discussions, while the promotions and additions have been welcomed. The new central contracts will provide financial support and access to resources for the selected players.

India's all-rounder Shardul Thakur has raised concerns over the demanding schedule of the Ranji Trophy, expressing fears that the tight turnaround between matches could lead to player injuries. Thakur, who recently scored a century in the semifinal against Tamil Nadu, emphasized the need for the BCCI to reconsider the schedule for next year's tournament."It's difficult because we are playing first-class games in a three-day gap - that has never happened in Ranji Trophy season ever," Thakur said. "The schedule is becoming tighter and tighter. If boys keep playing like this for two more seasons, there will be a lot of injuries across the country."Thakur pointed out that in previous years, players had more time between matches in the Ranji Trophy. "When I remember playing Ranji Trophy back in the days, good 7-8 years back, the first three games used to have a three-day break and then it was a four-day break and knockouts were played on five-day breaks," he said."Now this year, we have seen that all the games have been played on a three-day gap. It is extremely tough on domestic players to expect them to play ten games in a row with just a three-days gap if a team makes it to the finals."Thakur's concerns were echoed by Tamil Nadu skipper R Sai Kishore, who agreed that the schedule was particularly challenging for fast bowlers. "Fast bowlers are extra tired because you travel on one day," Kishore said. "I think that is because there is not enough spacing between the games."Thakur also acknowledged that his team, Mumbai, had faced challenges in managing their resources due to the tight schedule. "Mohit (Avasthi) also had an injury in the sixth game," he said. "He played five games in a row. He had a huge workload because Tushar (Deshpande) was also selected for India A. He was not available. Dhawal (Kulkarni) was playing alternate games, looking at his age and workload. Royston (Dias) is fairly new.""He (Mohit) operated a lot in those first five games and then he had an injury so he had to miss a game. I think that is because there is not enough spacing between the games," Thakur added.Despite his impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy, Thakur admitted that an international comeback for India is not on the cards at the moment. "I think international comeback is far from now because the Test team is out already for the fifth game (against England) and after this we are going into the IPL," he said. "It's far, I am not thinking that far."

BCCI's Domestic Cricket Mandate: A Step Towards Preserving TraditionFormer Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to mandate players to participate in domestic cricket. This move aims to safeguard the integrity and competitiveness of tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, which have been overshadowed by the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).Tiwary, who recently retired from cricket, believes that the BCCI's mandate is crucial for the survival of domestic cricket. He has observed a shift in players' priorities, with many prioritizing IPL contracts over domestic performances."Youngsters and established players speak only about IPL during domestic matches," Tiwary said. "When you get 5 cr or 7 cr, players start thinking in their subconsciousness."This mindset has led to players faking injuries to avoid exerting themselves in domestic matches, Tiwary revealed. "They try to avoid the last bit of effort required to dive and save a boundary that might have been crucial for the domestic team," he said.The BCCI's mandate has been met with mixed reactions. While some former cricketers and experts have praised the move, others have called for it to be applied equally to all players.Despite the criticism, the BCCI's decision is a step in the right direction. It sends a clear message that domestic cricket remains a vital part of the Indian cricket ecosystem. By ensuring that players are available for their respective teams, the BCCI is safeguarding the integrity and competitiveness of these tournaments.In addition to preserving tradition, the BCCI's mandate also serves a practical purpose. It provides players with an opportunity to maintain their fitness and form during the off-season. By participating in domestic cricket, players can stay sharp and ready for international duty.The BCCI's decision is a bold one, but it is necessary to ensure the long-term health of Indian cricket. By prioritizing domestic cricket, the BCCI is investing in the future of the game and ensuring that the Ranji Trophy and other tournaments continue to produce world-class players.

Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has shed light on his decision to appoint Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Indian men's cricket team, replacing Virat Kohli. Ganguly, who was the BCCI chief at the time, revealed that he saw immense potential in Rohit, particularly considering his impressive record in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Ganguly praised Rohit's leadership skills, highlighting his ability to guide India to the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup on home soil. Despite losing to Australia in the final, Ganguly believes India was the strongest team in the tournament. He expressed his admiration for Rohit's calm and composed demeanor during the high-pressure event."I am not surprised by the way he led," Ganguly said. "He became the captain when I was the BCCI president, and I am not surprised by the way he has led the team. I made him the Indian captain because I saw the talent in him, and I am not surprised by what he has done."Rohit's recent achievements include leading India to a 17th consecutive Test series win on home soil. After losing the opening match against England in Hyderabad, India has bounced back to take a 3-1 lead in the series.Meanwhile, Rohit has relinquished his captaincy at Mumbai Indians to Hardik Pandya. Hardik, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022, will now take charge of the five-time champions.

Shreyas Iyer Disappoints in Ranji Trophy Semifinal as Tamil Nadu Fights BackOut-of-favor India batter Shreyas Iyer's return to domestic cricket proved underwhelming as he failed to make an impact in the Ranji Trophy semifinal match between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu. Representing Mumbai, Iyer was dismissed for a mere 3 runs by Tamil Nadu pacer Sandeep Warrier in the first innings.Mumbai, led by Ajinkya Rahane, had a promising start, with Rahane and Musheer Khan putting on a 43-run partnership. However, Iyer's dismissal, followed by the fall of Rahane, left Mumbai reeling at 96/5.Tamil Nadu skipper B Sai Kishore led the charge with the ball, claiming five wickets for 31 runs in 20 overs. Mumbai struggled at 125/7 at lunch on the second day, but managed to reduce the first-innings deficit to just 21 runs by the end of the first session.Iyer's poor performance was a disappointment, as he had hoped to impress on his return to domestic cricket after failing to secure a BCCI central contract. Unfortunately, he failed to deliver in the first innings.Tamil Nadu's remarkable comeback put Mumbai under pressure after a dismal opening day, where they were bowled out for just 146. The visitors' resurgence was led by Sai Kishore's five-wicket haul and a disciplined bowling performance.

Shreyas Iyer's omission from the BCCI's central contract list has sparked controversy, with many questioning the decision to exclude the talented batsman. Iyer's recent performance in the Ranji Trophy semi-final, where he scored just 3 runs before being dismissed, has further fueled the debate.Iyer's absence from the central contract list has been attributed to his alleged prioritization of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic red-ball cricket. Reports suggest that Iyer attended a pre-IPL camp with his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, while claiming to have a back injury that prevented him from playing in a Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai.However, a report by The Indian Express revealed that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) provided a contradictory fitness report on Iyer, casting doubt on the validity of his injury claim. This has led to speculation that Iyer's exclusion from the central contract list may have been influenced by his perceived lack of commitment to domestic cricket.Iyer's supporters argue that he has consistently performed well for India and Mumbai, and that his decision to attend the KKR camp was solely to improve his fitness. They point out that Iyer skipped the IPL to participate in the World Cup and played through pain during the tournament.Furthermore, they argue that players should have the freedom to train under coaches of their choice and that Iyer's decision to work with the KKR Academy should not be held against him. They also question why Iyer was not given a break after the World Cup and was asked to play in a Ranji game ahead of the Test series against England.The BCCI's decision to exclude Iyer from the central contract list has sent a strong message to young cricketers that they must prioritize domestic cricket over the IPL. However, it remains to be seen whether this decision will have the desired effect or if it will simply alienate talented players who feel they are not being treated fairly.