BCCI Mandates Ranji Trophy Matches for Players Focused on T20 Leagues

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan‘s focus solely on the Indian Premier League (IPL) rather than playing in first-class cricket could lead him to mandatory participation in some matches of the Ranji Trophy, due to a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Kishan recently cut short his tour of South Africa due to exhaustion and upon returning to India has not played any matches, which has not gone down well with the BCCI officials. He was spotted practicing with newly appointed captain Hardik Pandya in Rajkot, while his Ranji team, Jharkhand, was underperforming.

It is understood that some players do not wish to engage in red-ball cricket despite being part of the Indian team. In response to this situation, BCCI officials have signaled that playing some Ranji Trophy matches is mandatory. If players do not comply, they may not be allowed to participate in the IPL and even risk not being included in the IPL auction.

An agreement has been reached that a stricter policy needs to be formulated to prevent young cricketers from neglecting the Ranji Trophy. A senior BCCI official informed PTI privately, “BCCI’s policy directors are well aware that some players do not want to play red-ball cricket. If they are out of the Indian team, they don’t join their state team in Ranji Trophy.”

“The organisation will make it mandatory for players like Kishan to play in around three to four Ranji matches during a season if they do not participate in the Indian Premier League, so that they do not lose sight of the first-class cricket obligation,” the official added.

He also added, “We understand Hardik Pandya’s case as he cannot endure the demands of white-ball cricket. He cannot handle the responsibilities of Test cricket and his fitness for ICC competitions is crucial for India.” He mentioned, “However, there are other young players who say they are working on their fitness. This trend needs to be curtailed at some level.”