BCCI issues stern warning to players prioritizing IPL over domestic cricket

Over the last few months, plenty of things have boiled up away from the pitch, with a spotlight on several players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer on their non-participation in the Ranji Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, has warned the centrally-contracted players to prove their worth in the domestic setups. 

ESPNCricinfo reported that Shah’s letter to the players served as a ‘warning’ to players who criticised the Indian Premier League over appearing at the domestic level for their respective states. 

"However, there is a trend that has started to emerge and is a cause for concern. Some players have begun prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket, a shift that was not anticipated. Domestic cricket has always been the foundation upon which Indian cricket stands, and it has never been undervalued in our vision for the sport,” Shah wrote in the letter, reported Cricinfo. 

Later in the same letter, the BCCI secretary also wrote that performances in domestic tournaments remain ‘a critical yardstick’ for selection, and if a player decides not to participate in these tournaments, they will have to face the brunt. 

"It is essential to recognize that domestic cricket forms the backbone of Indian cricket and serves as the feeder line to Team India. Our vision for Indian cricket has been clear from the outset - every cricketer aspiring to play for India must prove themselves in domestic cricket. Performance in domestic tournaments remains a critical yardstick for selection, and non-participation in domestic cricket will carry severe implications."

It was also reported that Ishan Kishan has returned to training in a bid to be match-fit in time for the start of the IPL. But at the same time, it was also abundantly clear that Kishan wasn’t going to return for Jharkhand, who are currently playing their final game of the 2024 Ranji Trophy season. 

"not a critique but a reminder of the values that have shaped Indian cricket over the years. It is a call to collectively ensure that we do not dilute the significance of domestic cricket or weaken its core structure. The responsibility rests with each one of us, as custodians of the game, to uphold the essence of domestic cricket and work together to elevate Indian cricket to newer heights."