A total of 2127 matches will be played across age groups in the 2021-22 domestic season.
As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the schedule for the upcoming 2021-22 domestic season, former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar was shocked to see the Irani Cup, Duleep Trophy, and Deodhar trophy tournaments missing in the forthcoming season.
The domestic season will kick start with the Women's One Day League, beginning September 21 while the men's domestic season will kick off only after the IPL 2021 with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from October 20 followed by the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy (One-Dayers) from February 23, 2022.
The former Indian chief selector was disappointed that the BCCI is not conducting the Irani Cup, Duleep Trophy, and Deodhar Trophy tournaments this season just because some players will be busy with the IPL 2021 in the UAE, saying the board could start the season earlier in August-September.
Vengsarkar told Times of India, “It's shocking that the BCCI has not scheduled the Irani Cup, Duleep Trophy, and Deodhar Trophy tournaments in its calendar in the forthcoming season. It's important for the Board to invest in domestic cricket, and must pay full attention to it.”
Read Also: BCCI announces domestic schedule for 2021-22 season; Ranji Trophy to start on November 16
He further opined, “BCCI can stage these tournaments, which are of tremendous importance in the domestic calendar, in August-September in Bangalore. Just because some players will be busy with the IPL, it doesn't mean that the remaining domestic cricketers should be left twiddling their thumbs at home. Many domestic players, who don't play in the IPL but are regular, senior players in their state sides, will get the opportunity to play in these tournaments.
Domestic cricket isn't about youngsters alone. Also, youngsters will benefit from playing with these experienced players. We should play these tournaments with whoever players are available. We can get the best five-six teams, on a zonal basis, to play in the Duleep Trophy. We should try and get an A team from England or Australia to participate in the Duleep Trophy.”
Highlighting the benefits of organizing the Duleep, Irani, and Deodhar tournaments, the former cricketer noted, “It will help India build its bench strength. You might get two-three fast bowlers, spinners, and batsmen for the Indian team.”
Vengsarkar was also wondered about the role of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
He signed off by saying, “What happened to the BCCI's plans for what was supposed to be a grand, new NCA, for which it had earmarked Rs 300-500 crores. It had acquired land for this purpose in Devanahalli (near Bangalore), and there were supposed to be three grounds there.”
(With TOI Inputs)