BCCI Mandates Player Participation in Ranji Trophy; Rohit and Virat’s Absence Addressed
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a directive requiring all centrally contracted players to participate in domestic cricket, specifically the Ranji Trophy. Exemptions will only be granted upon submission of a physiotherapist’s report and approval from both head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
This decision emerged from a performance review meeting held in Mumbai, attended by key figures including captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gambhir, BCCI president Roger Binny, vice-president Rajiv Shukla, and joint secretary Devjit Saikia. The meeting addressed concerns over senior players’ absence from domestic tournaments, with specific discussions about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have not participated in the Ranji Trophy since 2015 and 2012, respectively.
The BCCI’s move aims to reinforce the importance of domestic cricket in maintaining player form and readiness for international duties. The board has previously expressed concerns over players prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic competitions, emphasizing that participation in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy is crucial for the development and assessment of players.
The directive underscores the BCCI’s commitment to upholding the significance of domestic cricket as a foundation for international success. By ensuring that top players participate in the Ranji Trophy, the board seeks to enhance the competitive standard of the tournament and provide emerging players with valuable experience alongside seasoned internationals.
