BCCI May Consider Stern Action After Ishan Kishan Fiasco: No Ranji Trophy, No IPL, Reports Suggest

The BCCI instructed Ishan Kishan to play for Jharkhand in their game against Rajasthan. There has been unease within the Indian cricket establishment about Kishan’s absence for his state team matches, especially after it was discovered that he was training with his new MI skipper, Hardik Pandya, while his state team was struggling in the league. It is believed that young players need to be held accountable and that a strict policy is required to prevent them from prioritizing IPL over other forms of cricket.

There is a consensus within the BCCI that players should be required to play a minimum number of Ranji Trophy games, failing which they may be prevented from participating in the IPL or even appearing in the IPL auction. The state units feel that without a strong directive from the top, some young players will continue to disregard the importance of the Ranji Trophy. Furthermore, the Indian team’s management is also displeased with certain players who show reluctance to play Ranji Trophy matches, especially when they are fit.

While understanding the case of players like Hardik Pandya, whose body may not be suited for red ball cricket, there is a need to address the issue of players citing reasons such as undergoing physio work to avoid playing for their state teams.