Image Credit- PTI
Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, has clearly
challenged the players who are centrally committed to India to
“prove” themselves in domestic cricket if they want to play for the
country. He has also threatened to impose “severe implications” on
non-participation. Shah stated that the “trend” of giving the Indian
Premier League priority over domestic cricket was “cause for concern”
in a letter he sent to the players earlier this week.
While saying that the board was proud of IPL’s success
over the years, Shah wrote: “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.
“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.”
Shah wrote towards the end that the letter was
“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.”
Players like Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Deepak
Chahar—who have recently been absent from the India squads for a variety of
reasons—will receive special attention from this letter. Kishan has a Grade C
contract with the BCCI, whereas Iyer has a Grade B deal. When the BCCI last
extended the contracts, Chahar was not retained.