The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has reportedly sent a strong message to established Indian players, which is to prioritise domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy before they go on to focus on the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The warning came after there were reports of several players, including star Indian batter Ishan Kishan, who are training for the IPL instead of participating in the Ranji Trophy.
“In the next few days, all the players will be communicated to 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,” a source in the know was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Furthermore, it was emphasised that the directive applied to several of the established Indian team players, and no player is exempt from contributing to the domestic circuit.
Kishan is currently training with the Pandya brothers
It is interesting to note that Ishan Kishan is currently in Baroda training alongside Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya and his brother Krunal Pandya. After such reports, it has been made clear that representing the country and one’s state in the Ranji Trophy should be prioritised over early preparations for the IPL.
Kishan did not make himself available for selection to represent Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. The same came to the notice of several players, with former all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressing his confusion on the matter as well. With reports of the notice to the players by the BCCI, only time can tell how the players will take heed of the notice.
The 17th edition of the IPL (Indian Premier League) is looming on the horizon and is set to begin in the summer of 2024. However, the BCCI expressed their displeasure over players getting into IPL mode right from January, when they could be focusing on national duties and the Ranji Trophy.