Following keeper-batter Ishan Kishan’s continued reluctance to play Ranji Trophy cricket for Jharkhand and him reportedly training for the IPL 2024 in Baroda with Hardik and Krunal Pandya, the BCCI is set to bring in some rules regarding a minimum number of first-class games mandatory to be eligible to be in IPL auction.
Kishan has been out of action since pulling out of the South Africa tour citing a 'travel fatigue' after he was granted a break by the BCCI. Since then Ishan hasn't featured in any of Ranji's matches for his state team, which is near the bottom of the Group A table.
This despite repeated instructions by the BCCI and coach Rahul Dravid, who wanted Kishan to play a couple of Ranji games to be considered for the ongoing England Test series.
But Kishan’s non-communication about his plans led to KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel being picked as keeper-batters in the Indian squad for the England Tests.
The BCCI has already instructed Kishan to play Jharkhand's last group league game against Rajasthan in Jamshedpur. And there is a consensus that a strict policy needs to be adhered to so that a group of young players don't make "playing IPL to IPL" a habit.
"The decision-makers in BCCI are well aware that some players don't want to play any red ball cricket. If they are out of the Indian team, they would at best play a few Mushtaq Ali T20 games and then not report for state team duty during red ball season.
To rein in such players, the board in all likelihood will make it mandatory to play 3-4 Ranji Trophy games, failing which, they can't play IPL or even appear in an IPL auction if released by their franchise. The state units feel unless the diktat comes from the top of BCCI, some of the young stars will treat Ranji Trophy with disdain,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.
The report further mentioned that the Indian team think tank is extremely unhappy with a certain section of players, who are always reluctant to play the Ranji Trophy even when they are fit.
"We can understand Hardik Pandya's case as his body can't take the rigors of red ball cricket. He can't withstand the workload of Test cricket and India needs him fit for ICC events. "But some of the other youngsters, whenever you call them, they will cite that they are currently doing physio work. There needs to be a stop somewhere," the official said.
Asked if Kishan would find himself out of BCCI retainership, as he holds a Grade C contract earning him INR 1 Cr per annum, the official said: "No discussions have taken place as of now regarding central contracts."
Now it remains to be seen whether Ishan Kishan joins Jharkhand for their Ranji Trophy match in Jamshedpur.
(PTI inputs)
