BCCI unhappy with Indian cricketers prioritizing IPL 2024 prep over Ranji Trophy - Reports

Recently Ishan Kishan was spotted preparing for IPL 2024 instead of playing in Ranji Trophy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly expressed its displeasure with players prioritizing Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) preparation over participation in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24. The BCCI is not happy with players skipping the prestigious Ranji Trophy matches for their respective states. The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League is likely to begin at the end of March.

Some of the players are working hard to find a place back on the Indian side. Senior pros like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are still grinding themselves in the Ranji Trophy. According to Times of India reports, The BCCI is likely to speak to all the players and ask them to play in the Ranji Trophy if they are fit. In case of injury, they will directed to National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

BCCI will talk to players

The Times of India quoted a source, who revealed that BCCI is not happy with a few big names already in IPL mode. Source informed, “In the next few days, all the players will be communicated by the BCCI to play for their state team in the Ranji Trophy, as long as they are not on national duty, with only those who are unfit and recovering at the NCA being granted an exemption. The Board isn’t too happy with certain players already in IPL mode from January.”

The BCCI took notice of the matter when Ishan Kishan was reportedly spotted training with his IPL captain Hardik Pandya. Kishan was recently asked by Indian head coach Rahul Dravid to make himself available and play some games so that he can get selected back in the Indian squad. Kishan opted out of the South African tour mid-way citing mental fatigue and has been out of action since then.

Senior Bengal player Manoj Tiwari tweeted a few days back claiming that the Ranji Trophy should be scrapped off the calendar next year. Tiwari expressed that the Ranji Trophy is losing its charm. Indian team is currently taking on England in a five-match test series. Players like Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar, Akash Deep, and Dhruv Jurel have found a place in the Indian team following good performances in the Ranji Trophy.

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