Indian batting legend and now commentator Sunil Gavaskar has claimed that India’s premier domestic cricket tournament, the Ranji Trophy, is being ‘greatly devalued’ as the talented crop of players is being pulled out of the state teams to take part in other tournaments.
The Ranji Trophy began on October 10 but since the second round of games, a bunch of players have missed out on participating in the domestic games due to commitments elsewhere. This includes the India A side currently led by Tilak Varma taking part in the ongoing ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 in Oman.
This would be followed by the two-match red-ball games against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024. Simultaneously, the T20I side led by Suryakumar Yadav will also be taking on South Africa in a four-match series starting on November 8.
In contrast, many regular Australian players like Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc are plying their skills in the domestic red-ball Sheffield Shield competition.
“Even as India plays the current series against New Zealand, some of our players are competing in the Emerging Players Asia Cup. The Ranji Trophy season has begun, and if players are being taken away to play in events like this, then the national tournament is being greatly devalued,” wrote Gavaskar in his column for Sportstar on Monday.
“Next month, there’s a needless four-match T20 series in South Africa before the tour to Australia. There will also be an ‘A’ team touring Australia next month, so effectively about 50 to 60 players will not be available for their State teams in the premier national tournament, the Ranji Trophy,” Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar also pointed out that since the inception of the Indian Premier League, the respect shown for the domestic format has gone down drastically.
He asked, “No other major country treats its national tournament as cavalierly as India does. Have you ever seen England or Australia hold ‘A’ tours or participate in meaningless events during their domestic seasons?
“Their domestic seasons are sacrosanct, but ever since the IPL came along, the Ranji Trophy has sadly receded into the background. Hopefully, this will change from the next season — or is that hoping for too much?” concluded Gavaskar.
The Indian cricket board however has released a new mandate which ensures that those not on national duty would be expected to take part in the domestic cricket circuit for their respective state teams. A move like such will help improve the number of players within the domestic scene.
(with IANS Inputs)
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