Cricket

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 Ranji Trophy final, the pinnacle of India's domestic cricket tournament, will be held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from March 10 to 14. The announcement was made by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) after 41-time champions Mumbai secured their place in the final for the 48th time.The Wankhede Stadium has been the heart of Mumbai cricket for nearly five decades, hosting countless memorable matches. "Considering the legacy of the tournament and the significance of this game for the Mumbai cricket community, it is only fitting that the final be played at the Wankhede Stadium," said MCA secretary Ajinkya Naik.Mumbai's qualification for the final came after a dominant performance in the semifinals, where they defeated Tamil Nadu by an innings and 70 runs at the BKC ground. The team will now face the winner of the other semifinal clash between Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh, which is currently underway at the VCA Ground in Nagpur.Vidarbha, known for their strong batting lineup, extended their lead by 261 runs in the second innings, reaching 343 for six at the end of the third day. The team will be looking to continue their impressive form and secure a place in the final.The Ranji Trophy final is a highly anticipated event in the Indian cricket calendar, attracting fans from across the country. The Wankhede Stadium, with its capacity of over 33,000, is expected to be packed with spectators eager to witness the culmination of the tournament.

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.

The Indian cricket board's (BCCI) recent decision to withhold central contracts from Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan for skipping the Ranji Trophy has sparked a debate about the relative importance of the domestic tournament and the Indian Premier League (IPL).While the IPL undoubtedly offers greater financial rewards and media attention, former India opener Devang Gandhi, who served on the senior selection committee until 2020, argues that Ranji Trophy performances remain paramount for Test team selection. He cites examples of Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Siraj, who all played significant red-ball cricket before earning national call-ups.However, there have been exceptions, such as Ajinkya Rahane's selection for the World Test Championship final after a strong IPL season. Gandhi suggests that this was due to Rahane's proven track record in England, rather than solely his IPL performances.Rajasthan Royals star Dhruv Jurel, who made his Test debut recently, also has an impressive first-class average of 50.78. Other recent Test debutants, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Akash Deep, have all excelled in the Ranji Trophy.Sunil Subramaniam, R Ashwin's former coach, believes the IPL is a valuable indicator of a player's temperament on the big stage. However, he acknowledges a problem in the system, with the significant pay disparity between IPL and domestic cricket leading many young players to prioritize the former.Subramaniam suggests that top players should set an example by playing Ranji Trophy whenever possible, but acknowledges that workload management for pace bowlers is a concern. He believes the BCCI's recent diktat has come too late and that a systemic change is needed, starting with the very top players.

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket captain, has lauded young batter Sarfaraz Khan's potential in the five-day format. Sarfaraz, a right-handed batter, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for the past three years. He recently made his Test debut against England in Rajkot, where he impressed with scores of 62 and 68 not out.Ganguly believes that Sarfaraz's game is well-suited to the longer format. "I think he's more of a five-day player. His game is suited for that. T20 is a different format," Ganguly said. "The amount of runs he scored in domestic cricket, in the Ranji trophy and in first-class cricket has been phenomenal."Sarfaraz's rise to international cricket has been a long-awaited one. He has been a prolific run-scorer in first-class cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy. In the 2021-22 season, he topped the run-scoring charts with 982 runs in six matches. He also finished fifth in the 2019-20 season with 928 runs in six matches.In the unofficial Test series against England Lions, Sarfaraz performed well for India A, scoring 96 in a Tour match and 161 in an unofficial Test.Overall, Sarfaraz has scored 4056 runs in 47 first-class matches at an average of 68.74. He has scored 14 centuries and 13 fifties, with a best score of 301 not out.Ganguly's praise for Sarfaraz is a testament to the young batter's talent and potential. Sarfaraz has shown that he has the ability to score runs consistently at the highest level. With his impressive record in domestic cricket, he is likely to be a key player for India in the future.

BCCI's Contract Termination for Domestic Neglect: A Step to Protect First-Class CricketLegendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has lauded the BCCI's decision to terminate central contracts for players who prioritize international cricket over domestic commitments. This move, he believes, is crucial to safeguard marquee first-class events like the Ranji Trophy.The BCCI recently excluded Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from its central contracts after they ignored the board's directive to participate in the Ranji Trophy. The decision sparked mixed reactions, with some former players supporting the duo. However, Kapil Dev has unequivocally backed the BCCI's stance."Yes, a few players will suffer, but let it be," said Kapil. "Nobody is bigger than the country. Well done."He emphasized the importance of domestic cricket in nurturing and developing players. "I was sad to see domestic cricket being given the skip by players once they had established themselves in international cricket," he observed.The BCCI's decision is intended to send a strong message that domestic competitions must be given due importance. Kishan, despite not being on national duty, chose to focus on IPL preparations instead of playing for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. Iyer, on the other hand, made himself unavailable for Mumbai's Ranji quarterfinal after being dropped from the Indian team.Kapil believes that established stars have a duty to support domestic cricket, as they owe their success to their respective states. "International players should make themselves available to play for their states," he said. "It helps them extend their support to domestic players and pay back for the services rendered by the state association."The BCCI's move has also been welcomed by former cricketers who have benefited from the enhanced pension scheme. Kapil expressed his gratitude for the increase in monthly pensions, which has provided much-needed relief to families of yesteryear players.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, two prominent Indian cricketers, have been excluded from the latest BCCI contracts, sparking speculation and debate. The duo's omission has been interpreted as a stern message from the cricket governing body to players who prioritize franchise cricket over domestic commitments.Ishan Kishan, who took a break from India's tour of South Africa, has been practicing in Baroda instead of representing his state Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, claimed an injury prevented him from playing for Mumbai in the same tournament. However, reports suggest that the NCA's assessment contradicts Iyer's claim.The BCCI's decision to exclude Iyer and Kishan from the annual contract list has raised eyebrows. "Please note that Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations," the BCCI stated in a release.The BCCI has emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for players who are not representing the national team. "The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team," the release added.Despite their exclusion, there is still a possibility that Iyer and Kishan could earn BCCI contracts in the future. "The selectors don't doubt their ability," a BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo. "But if the NCA is saying you are fit and you are not making yourself available for the Test series, how can the BCCI offer you a contract?"The BCCI release outlines the criteria for pro-rata contracts: "Athletes who meet the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests or 8 ODIs or 10 T20Is within the specified period will automatically be included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis." The specified period is from October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024.The exclusion of Iyer and Kishan serves as a reminder of the BCCI's commitment to domestic cricket and its expectation that players prioritize it over franchise commitments. The duo's future with the national team remains uncertain, but they have an opportunity to earn contracts by fulfilling the criteria outlined by the BCCI.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently implemented a new rule mandating all centrally contracted cricketers, who are not with the national team, to participate in red-ball cricket in the domestic circuit. This decision was made to address the growing concern of players missing domestic cricket, which is seen as crucial for their development and match fitness.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for players' overall growth and stated that no excuses would be tolerated in this matter. He mentioned that all contracted players have been informed about this rule and that they must adhere to it. Shah also clarified that this rule is not specifically targeted at any particular player, such as Ishan Kishan, who was recently in the news for reportedly being asked by the BCCI to play for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.In the midst of this controversy, reports emerged that Shreyas Iyer had made himself unavailable for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarterfinals citing injury concerns. However, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has confirmed that Iyer has no 'fresh injuries' and was fit to play. This has raised questions about the validity of Iyer's injury claims and whether he is genuinely injured or simply avoiding domestic cricket.Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan took to social media to express his concern about the different rules seemingly being applied to different players regarding their participation in domestic cricket. He questioned why some players are allowed to skip domestic matches under the pretext of looking after their bodies while others are expected to play.The BCCI's decision to enforce mandatory participation in domestic cricket is a significant step towards ensuring that players are adequately prepared for international cricket. Domestic cricket provides players with the opportunity to gain valuable experience, improve their skills, and build their match fitness. By mandating their participation, the BCCI aims to raise the overall standard of Indian cricket and produce players who are ready to compete at the highest level.