EXCLUSIVE: In letter to top cricketers, BCCI secretary Jay Shah warns ‘skipping domestic red-ball games will have severe implications’

BOARD OF Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah on Friday wrote to top cricketers — centrally contracted as well as India A — warning them that domestic cricket remains a “critical yardstick for selection” to the national team and non-participation in it will have “severe implications”.

The reason for the communication, according to the letter, was “the concerning trend of players prioritising the IPL over domestic red-ball cricket”.

“There is a recent trend that has started to emerge and is a cause for concern. Some players have begun prioritising 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 said in the letter.

He also said 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 cricket remains a critical yardstick for selection and non-participation in domestic cricket will carry severe implications,” wrote the BCCI secretary.

The letter shares the board’s concerns about “the health and status of our domestic cricket”.

Shah wrote that while the board is proud of the IPL’s popularity and success, players must prioritise domestic red-ball game and understand its relevance as a stepping stone to representing India.

The letter comes after players, including but not limited to wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, ignored calls to play in the ongoing Ranji Trophy to stay fit and prepare for the upcoming IPL season. Kishan, as well as the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar, skipped the final round of Ranji Trophy matches that started on Friday.

Shah also cited examples of how players in the past embraced every opportunity to represent their states in domestic tournaments. “Legends like Sunil Gavaskar exemplified this dedication, playing club cricket the morning they arrived from an international tour. Domestic cricket was seen not just as a commitment but as a responsibility and a source of pride,” he wrote.

Earlier this week, the BCCI secretary made it clear that the board will not tolerate excuses from centrally contracted players who wish to skip playing domestic red-ball cricket and followed up on his promise that he would write letters to the players in question.

The board’s latest diktat has left no ambiguity in the matter.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.