BCCI Takes Hard Stance on Prioritizing Domestic Cricket. Can Ishan Kishan play in the 2024 IPL season? Not playing in the Ranji Trophy for his home team, Jharkhand, has caused a stir and might harm his chance to play in the IPL.
Kishan’s decision to skip the final round of Ranji Trophy matches has drawn the ire of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This reluctance to prioritize first-class cricket is the very reason the BCCI now mandates a minimum number of Ranji Trophy appearances for players to be included in the lucrative IPL auction pool.
Deepak Chahar and Shreyas Iyer are also absent from the current round of Ranji Trophy matches. Iyer, however, is reportedly struggling with lower back and groin injuries. The BCCI specifically instructed these three players to participate in first-class cricket for their state teams.
With Kishan absent, Kumar Kushagra has taken over wicket-keeping duties for Jharkhand. The team is currently struggling in the Ranji Trophy with only a single win so far.
Kishan’s repeated absences since returning from India’s South Africa tour, citing “travel fatigue,” have disappointed officials. It’s further concerning that he was seen training with Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya while Jharkhand languished in the Ranji Trophy standings.
A growing consensus supports a stricter policy within the BCCI to discourage young players from focusing solely on the IPL.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah made a firm statement emphasizing this stance: “India’s centrally contracted players will have to play Ranji Trophy matches for their state teams and the BCCI will not tolerate any excuses for the same.”
Shah further explained that chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar has been given authority to make the final call if a player disregards directives given by the team management.
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