Former India batter Aakash Chopra has emphasized the importance of first-class cricket for national team, urging the selectors not to pick players who are neglecting the Ranji Trophy. Chopra feels the selectors should prefer players performing in the domestic circuit, rather than the Indian Premier League. India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been in the news ever since he pulled out of the South Africa Tests last year, citing fatigue.
Despite being absent from India’s squad for the ongoing five-match Test series against England, Kishan has also refrained himself from playing for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.
Chopra feels the selectors should enforce participation in domestic tournaments, a move which he feels should send a strong message to players ignoring tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
The cricketer-turned-commentator praised senior players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane for playing in the Ranji Trophy, despite being ignored by the selectors.
“I am hearing that a lot of youngsters are not playing. They don’t play at all because their names have already come in the IPL. People have started thinking that they would be selected if they do well in the IPL, which is not a good thing, because Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are still playing,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“If first-class cricket is happening and if you are fit and are not part of the Indian team, go and play. If someone feels that he will return without playing, a strong message has to be sent that you will only be considered when you go and play. If you feel you will only play the IPL and play all cricket based on that, I am expecting the selection committee under Ajit Agarkar’s leadership to put that line in the sand, that it’s not going to happen. If this is being imposed, please do it even more,” he added.
With Kishan reluctant to play domestic games despite being fit, the BCCI has reportedly issued a strong mandate to its players who are not part of international assignments or undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy.
After the directive from the BCCI, Ishan, training in Baroda at present, is expected to play for his home state Jharkhand against Rajasthan in Jamshedpur.
