It is reported that BCCI is unhappy with players prioritizing IPL 2024 preparation over playing in the current Ranji Trophy 2023-24.
BCCI, along with national selectors, has directed players not part of the India squad for the England series to play for their state teams in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches starting on February 16. This decision follows several players, including Ishan Kishan, choosing to skip Ranji Trophy matches for IPL prep.
Ishan Kishan opted out of the South Africa tour due to mental health concerns and also skipped the T20I series against Afghanistan. Despite India’s coach Rahul Dravid advising him to play some cricket before returning to the national squad, Kishan decided to practice with the Pandya brothers in Baroda instead of representing Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.
The BCCI’s directive also includes players like Krunal Pandya and Deepak Chahar, who are not part of India’s Test cricket plans, and Shreyas Iyer, dropped from the final three Tests against England. The mandate emphasizes that players cannot prioritize IPL or international cricket over domestic commitments.
A BCCI source stated, ‘Players cannot simply prioritize international cricket or the IPL. They must make themselves available for domestic cricket and honor their commitments to their respective state teams,’ as quoted by CricBuzz. Notably, players such as Hardik Pandya, awaiting clearance from the National Cricket Academy, and Virat Kohli, absent due to personal reasons, are exempt from the mandate.