The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing criticism from experts, pundits, and fans over the selection process of the Indian cricket team. Former greats argue that domestic cricket results are being overlooked, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) becoming the sole determinant for players aspiring to represent India.
As per the former Indian cricketers, the glamorous stage of the IPL now serves as a pathway for young players to enter the Indian dressing room. It is apparent that players today prioritise T20 cricket, driven by the increasing popularity of the IPL and other T20 leagues, as well as the massive viewership they attract. As a consequence, the significance of domestic matches appears to be diminishing. However, experts question whether this focus on T20 cricket will truly benefit players in the long run. They argue that a solid foundation built through playing domestic matches is the ideal path to honing skills and improving overall performance.
With their impressive performances in the IPL, young Indian batsmen have not only gained recognition and glory but also earned call-ups to the Indian team. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have received Test call-ups against the West Indies, have been favoured over domestic players such as Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Priyank Panchal.
READ: 'Stop Playing Ranji Trophy': Gavaskar Slams India Selectors For Neglecting Sarfaraz Khan
Wasim Jaffer in a tweet took a firm stand on the basis of selection for the test squad: "What’s the need for four openers? (Rohit, Shubman Gill, Gaikwad and Jaiswal) Instead, they could have picked Sarfaraz as extra middle order bat to honour his consistent domestic performances," Jaffer wrote after the BCCI announced the squad for the West Indies Tests.
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"Easwaran and Panchal have been doing the hard yards in Ranji and India A, knocking on Test doors for a long time. Just because they don’t play IPL, is it a case of out of sight out of mind? How did Ruturaj jump the queue?" he added.
Sarfaraz’s absence has drawn strong criticisms and opinions on the selectors as Sourav Ganguly came in support and was left shocked after both Khan and Easwaran did not receive a call up.
"Yashasvi Jaiswal has scored tons of runs in the Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy, and Duleep Trophy, and I think that's why he is in the squad. I feel for Sarfaraz Khan and I think at some stage he should get an opportunity for the amount of runs that he has scored in the past three years and it's the same thing for Abhimanyu Easwaran. He also has scored tons of runs in the last five-six years. I am surprised that both of them have been omitted but they would get an opportunity in the future. But Yashasvi Jaiswal I think is a good selection," Ganguly told PTI.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, on the other hand, slammed the BCCI and the selectors for neglecting players who have consistently performed at the domestic level.
Gavaskar said, “Sarfaraz Khan has been scoring at an average of 100 in all past three seasons. What does he have to do to be picked in the squad? He might not be in the XI, but you pick him in the team. Tell him that his performances are being recognized. Otherwise, stop playing Ranji Trophy. Say, it’s of no use, you just play IPL and think you are good enough for the red-ball game as well.”
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Another big question that arises is whether these new-age Indian international cricketers, with great IPL records but only a handful of Ranji Trophy matches under their belts, will serve the team well in the long run or whether it indicates the death of long-form cricket in the long run.
The IPL can be a boon for some but it is turning out to be a bane for players who have put in years of hard work playing domestic matches and serving their respective states and harbour a dream of playing Test cricket for India. Highly skilled players who slog through hard terrains, serve their states with discipline and passion and have produced a masterclass performance, in some cases, year after year, deserve a chance to shine. Those in charge of the game in this country must create a balance between the classic and the contemporary in order to provide equal opportunity.