The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) isn’t happy with some of the established players over their attitude towards red-ball cricket. As per the reports in TOI, it learned that the governing body will be conveying to players to prioritise red ball cricket more.
This comes when are few of the players including Ishan Kishan have already started preparing for the IPL 2024 and have opted out of the Ranji Trophy. Along with Ishan Kishan, both Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya too are practising in Baroda for the league as well.
Ishan Kishan opted out of the Test series against South Africa due to personal reasons. But since then has been out of the action. He was asked by the team management to play in the Ranji Trophy but he didn’t play and instead is practising separately.
The reports claimed that players will be told to play for the state team as long as they are not on a national duty. A source close to BCCI told TOI:
“In the next few days, all the players will be communicated by the BCCI to play for their state team in the Ranji Trophy, as long as they are not on national duty, with only those who are unfit and recovering at the NCA being granted an exemption.”
There were reports that BCCI even told Shreyas Iyer to take part in Ranji Trophy but the batter didn’t seem interested at all. On the other hand, veterans such as Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are still grinding hard in the domestic tournament.
With this step, BCCI is making sure that the domestic circuit holds its value high in Indian cricket. Playing in the Ranji Trophy allows players to be match-fit and stay in touch with the game ahead of the IPL and future intentional games.
BCCI likely to play slow turner for the 3rd Test
The reports in TOI also claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to prepare a slow turner for the 3rd Test. The match between the two teams will take place in Rajkot from 15th February. The series between the team teams is levelled at 1-1.
With the way two teams have played in the series, it promises to be an enthralling game. Both teams will be eager to win the game and take a lead in the series. It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious in the game.