Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and others not to be selected directly for Cricket World Cup 2023

Rishabh Pant is out of cricketing action since December 2022 when he suffered a road accident.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah categorically said that all the players who are coming off an injury like Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and others will have to play some matches before being considered for the World Cup 2023.

This came after Shah confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah is fully fit and after a green signal from the medical team at the NCA, the pacer might be selected for the upcoming Ireland T20I tour.

However, the BCCI secretary also confirmed that players who are coming off injuries will have to be match-fit before being considered for the Indian team ahead of the Asia Cup as there will be no direct selections for the World Cup.

He further said that “consistency in selection” will be followed during the Asia Cup and World Cup and Ireland tour will be an exception as the Men in Blue are likely to rest their ODI regulars for the Ireland T20Is.

“There will be consistency (in selection) apart from Ireland tour. There will be consistency during the Asia Cup and World Cup. Leave it to BCCI, we will do best,” says Shah. Is there a possibility of direct selections for the World Cup? “Koi sawaal hi nahi hai (no question of that happening),” Shah was quoted by PTI.

He also addressed the injury concerns in the Indian team and mentioned how players have very little time to rest due to their constant travel to various locations throughout the globe. He also mentioned that 80% of players had passed fitness tests, which was wonderful news.

“80% of the players have passed the fitness tests. For the survival of other boards, we have to tour everywhere. We are right now in the West Indies, then the team will go to Ireland and then the Asia Cup. There is no time for players,” says Shah.

Indian team players to play domestic cricket when available - BCCI secretary Jay Shah

Shah also emphasized that BCCI wants to keep domestic cricket as its top priority and every available player, with NCA’s nod, will have to represent their respective state/zone in domestic competitions.

Recently, Cheteshwar Pujara and Suryakumar Yadav, who was not picked for West Indies Tests, played for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy.

“Whichever player will not be part of the team will, with NCA’s permission, play domestic cricket. Just like Suryakumar Yadav and Cheteshwar Pujara played. For us, domestic cricket is a priority too,” says Shah.