BCCI Likely To Allow Indian Players To Participate In Foreign T20 Leagues: Report

Even if BCCI allows Indian players to play in foreign leagues, it still won't allow high-profile international Indina players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in such tournaments.

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may allow Indian cricketers to play in foreign T20 leagues in the coming times, InsideSport reported. The board is now considering giving relief to the Indian players in this matter.  With the growing influence of IPL abroad, the demand for allowing Indian players to play in foreign players has increased significantly. Recently, six IPL franchises bought teams in  South Africa's new T20 league. And under pressure from IPL franchises, BCCI is now considering allowing Indian players to play in foreign franchise leagues as well.

"Few IPL teams with a presence in leagues abroad have requested the BCCI to allow Indian players. But we have to discuss this at the AGM before coming to any conclusion. It is a contentious issue as IPL is successful because of the exclusivity it provides. Definitely, we won’t lose that. As for Indian players playing abroad, it may happen due to growing number of franchise leagues," a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.

At present, only Indian women cricketers are allowed to play in foreign leagues. Apart from this, some retired men's cricketers have also participated in foreign leagues and tournaments.  

No Indian male player is allowed to play in foreign leagues and tournaments, which are playing at domestic and international level. BCCI believes that IPL will lose its identity if Indian players play in foreign leagues.

The report also stated that even if BCCI allows Indian players to play in foreign leagues, it still won't allow high-profile international Indina players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in such tournaments.

"It’s good to see the growing footprints of IPL all over the world. But we should not forget that it is because of the Indian players that the IPL is so popular. It is the only league where fans can watch them play. If they start playing in other leagues, it will only increase the viewers’ fatigue. It won’t be exclusive anymore. But there is room for relaxation when it comes to not so popular players or cricketers who are not in the reckoning," the official said.