The Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) has reportedly taken a strict route to enforce control over the players in the domestic circuit who seem to be preferring Indian Premier League over the esteemed Ranji Trophy. In the latest series of developments over the past few weeks, the apex institution for cricket in India is seeking to take rigorous measures on players who are missing out on Ranji Trophy 2024 for either undisclosed reasons, or not the pre-set reasons for taking a leave.
The reasons for exemption for players, in-order to miss out on Ranji Trophy 2024, are only if they are unfit and undergoing recovery, or on national duty at any level.
“In the next few days, all the players will be communicated by the BCCI to play for their state team in the Ranji Trophy, as long as they are not on national duty, with only those who are unfit and recovering at the NCA being granted an exemption. The Board isn't too happy with certain players already in IPL mode from January,” as reported by Times Of India via an undisclosed source.
The Ishan Kishan and BCCI Saga
Ishan Kishan has been unavailable for selection ever since he withdrew from the South Africa tour, stating mental fatigue as the reason. His absence has been a subject to speculation as the Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batsman last appeared for India in November 2023 and has been on a long vacation until recently, where he was spotted training with Pandya brothers (Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya) in Baroda.
Indian Cricket Team's coach Rahul Dravid further fueled up the issue last week, when the former Indian great stated in a press conference that Ishan Kishan needs to play some domestic cricket, in order to return to the national team scenario. Ishan hs interestingly, pulled out of the Ranji Trophy as well when he stated his unavailability for Jharkhand.