The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a stern reminder to state associations that all centrally contracted players must participate in domestic tournaments when available. The directive follows the surprise omission of KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj from the South Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy—raising questions about the competition’s prestige and quality.
BCCI’s firm stand on players’ participation in Duleep Trophy
The Duleep Trophy has traditionally been a key platform for red-ball preparation and national selection. Reaffirming its importance, the BCCI has made it clear: unless on international duty or officially exempted, all centrally contracted players must turn out for their zonal sides.
Abey Kuruvilla, BCCI’s General Manager of Cricket Operations, communicated this to state units and zonal convenors, stressing: “To uphold its prestige and ensure the highest quality of competition, it’s imperative that all currently available India players are selected for their respective zonal teams.”
Controversy over omission of key players from the South Zone squad
The South Zone squad announcement left out Rahul, Siraj, Washington Sundar and Sai Sudharsan, prompting the board’s intervention. The BCCI’s 2024 policy already warned that centrally contracted players skipping domestic cricket without clearance from the national coach, selection committee chairman, and the board could jeopardize future India call-ups.
Also READ: 3 reasons why the ban on betting apps like Dream11 is a correct move
Some state associations argue that involving senior internationals in India A tours or representative fixtures may serve better than playing zonal cricket, while also freeing up spots for younger talent. Still, the BCCI insists that the presence of star players boosts competition and inspires the next generation.
BCCI’s non-negotiable policy
Despite the debate, the BCCI has shown no signs of backing down. With stars like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer regularly featuring in domestic squads, the board believes the policy strengthens the domestic structure and preserves the stature of premier tournaments like the Duleep Trophy.
Also READ: Did BCCI stop Karun Nair from featuring in the KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy?
