Following the Indian team's elimination from the T20 World Cup 2022, the debate surrounding the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opening the doors for its cricketers to compete in overseas T20 competitions has picked up steam.
India lost to England in the second semi-final of the showpiece event in Australia by 10 wickets on Thursday (November 10).
The ease with which English openers Jos Buttler and Alex Hales crushed a decent total of 169 without losing a wicket and with 4 overs remaining served as the impetus for this debate.
Alex Hales, who was named Player of the Match on Thursday for his magnificent 86* off just 47 balls, revealed after the game that his Big Bash League (BBL) playing experience helped him land that impact on one of the world's most formidable bowling attacks.
Unfortunately, none in the Indian camp has any experience playing in an overseas league.
It was evident that Buttler and Hales exploited the benefit of familiarity with the conditions better than the Indians. Many players from the Rohit Sharma-led side were travelling to Australia for the first time.
Rahul Dravid, the head coach of India, may have stated that allowing players to compete in foreign tournaments could have a detrimental impact on domestic cricket, but Anil Kumble, his former teammate, believes that it is something that will help in the further development of Indian youngsters.
"I think exposure certainly helps. We have seen that with the kind of development that it has had on Indian cricket. For example, the IPL, where overseas players come in, and the kind of changes we've had in Indian cricket has certainly helped.
"In terms of giving an opportunity to a young player to go overseas and have a crack, then why not?" Kumble was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Kumble believes that the Men in Blue should do everything possible to be better prepared for the next T20 World Cup in 2024.
"I think it's important that you need to have everything that you need to do that come 2024, you are well prepared to take on a World Cup event."
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He added that India's batting strategy and line-up needed to be more versatile.
"The other thing that I also feel that needs to come into this team is the flexible approach to batting or the batting order.
"Because in T20s, I certainly believe there is no fixed batting order. You have to be flexible in the way you are going to go about using your resources," Kumble said.
The legendary spinner believes that it is crucial that the team management provide a youngster who resonates with the team’s brand of cricket with the required exposure.
"And likewise, if you identify the brand of cricket that we are looking at and then identify these key young players who you believe need those exposures, then why not? I think that's important," he stated.
Pakistan will face England in the final of the showpiece event on Sunday (November 13) at the iconic MCG.
(ESPNcricinfo Inputs)
