BCCI likely to make playing 3-4 Ranji Trophy matches mandatory for India players to feature in IPL

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The BCCI is likely to make it necessary for all the centrally contracted players to play at least 3-4 Ranji Trophy matches going forward. The board is unhappy with players skipping domestic matches and just waiting to play in the IPL.

India players not playing Ranji Trophy matches, and being interested in red-ball cricket has come into focus after Ishan Kishan repeated absence from the Jharkhand squad in the ongoing domestic season.

The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is on a break from cricket due to mental fatigue, and did not play any Ranji Trophy matches despite head coach Rahul Dravid making it clear that he will have to play some domestic games before making himself available for India selection.

The Mumbai Indians (MI) player was, however, spotted practicing with his IPL captain Hardik Pandya and his brother Krunal Pandya at the Kiran More Academy in Baroda. The same has left the BCCI unimpressed.

BCCI in a new diktat is likely to make playing Ranji Trophy matches compulsory to feature in the IPL. A BCCI official has told PTI that players will not even be allowed in the IPL auction if they skip Ranji Trophy matches.

"The decision makers in the BCCI are well aware that some players don't want to play any red ball cricket. If they are out of the Indian team, they would at best play a few Mushtaq Ali T20 games and then not report for state team duty during red ball season," a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. "To rein in such players, board in all likelihood will make it mandatory to play 3-4 Ranji Trophy games, failing which, they can't play IPL or even appear in IPL auction if released by their franchise. The state units feel unless the diktat comes from top of BCCI, some of the young stars will treat the Ranji Trophy with disdain."

Why Hardik Pandya does not play Ranji Trophy?

The official also stated that Hardik Pandya is exempted from Ranji Trophy matches due to his injury concerns. The star all-rounder has a history of injuries which has kept him out of action on several occasions. He hasn't played a single match for India after injuring his ankle during the league stage of the World Cup 2023. He last played a Test match in 2018.

"We can understand Hardik Pandya's case as his body can't take the rigours of red ball cricket. He can't withstand the workload of Test cricket and India needs him fit for ICC events. But some of the other youngsters, whenever you call them, they will cite that they are currently doing physio work. There needs to be a stop somewhere," the official said.