The India A squad, led by Dhruv Jurel, is set to play three four-day matches in New Zealand from October 24.
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has criticized the BCCI for scheduling an India A shadow tour to New Zealand during the Ranji Trophy season, arguing it devalues the premier domestic tournament.
The India A squad, led by Dhruv Jurel, is set to play three four-day matches in New Zealand from October 24 to November 7, ahead of the senior team's Test series.
“Why do you have an India A tour when the Ranji Trophy season is in progress? What’s the point of holding the Ranji Trophy then?” Vengsarkar quoted as saying by TOI.
“This idea of having a shadow tour when your own domestic season is on is plain ridiculous because you are diluting the importance of your premier domestic tournament,” he added.
Most players picked for the shadow tour will miss the bulk of the Ranji Trophy, featuring in only the opening round before flying out.
“If your best domestic players are playing for India A during the Ranji Trophy, then performances of those who score runs and take wickets in the Ranji Trophy get devalued. It’s beyond me why these A tours are being organised during the domestic season,” Vengsarkar stated.
Earlier this season, the Irani Cup between 2025-26 Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir and Rest of India was stripped of several key stars. This was because India A was simultaneously engaged in two multi-day matches against Australia A in Puducherry.
The opening round of the Ranji Trophy has also collided directly with the subsequent three-match unofficial one-day series between India A and Australia A in Puducherry, forcing multiple prominent domestic players to either miss the opening round or leave early.
The BCCI traditionally uses these shadow tours to help reserve and fringe players adjust to conditions ahead of senior international assignments.
However, Vengsarkar -- who previously served as the BCCI senior men’s selection committee chief -- argued that if the senior team or fringe players need acclimatization, the main squad should travel early rather than running overlapping shadow tours.
“If you want your players to acclimatise early to the conditions and local environment, then send your main team early,” he remarked. “There’s no point sending players who are not even going to play in the Test series."