Aakash Chopra supports the decision by the India Cricket Board (BCCI). They asked their key players to play first-class cricket. He thinks this choice should have been made sooner.
According to reports, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has requested contracted players to play domestic cricket before representing the national squad. He has voiced worry that players are favoring the Indian Premier League (IPL) above local cricket.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Chopra described the BCCI move as a welcome step.
“BCCI have said that if they have given you a central contract, then if you are not injured, play cricket because they will select you from there only, or else it’s not going to happen. In my opinion, step in the right direction. This should have been done earlier itself.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener claimed that skipping domestic cricket might have an influence on the players’ IPL contracts.
“Don’t be surprised, especially the young players, if they are not injured and are still skipping first-class cricket, remember that BCCI have also talked about the consequences of that on the IPL contract. Things have changed and for the good.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra stated that many cricketers had begun to believe they might play for India if they performed well in the IPL. He agreed that a few players had been selected for Tests and the World Cup based on their accomplishments in the elite league.
“A line in the sand will be drawn somewhere and that has happened” – Aakash Chopra on the BCCI’s decision
Aakash Chopra expressed his belief that it’s crucial for the BCCI to prevent cricketers from increasingly skipping domestic cricket.
“Players have stopped playing for the last little while. They say they are injured or have a niggle, so the BCCI said that it’s enough. The penny has to drop. A line in the sand will be drawn somewhere and that has happened.”
Aakash Chopra
The ex-player, now a commentator, suggests that the selection team under Ajit Agarkar’s leadership may have pushed BCCI to take this step.
“I feel the new selection committee would have definitely communicated to the BCCI, questioning what is happening. It’s not restricted to people who have central contracts but players who don’t have central contracts but have good IPL contracts are also not playing, and there is no injury concern.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra finished by noting that players should play first-class cricket if they are not at the NCA (National Cricket Academy) or playing for India. He gave the examples of Cheteshwar Pujara, who is still scoring runs in the Ranji Trophy, and Mukesh Kumar, who played for Bengal after being dropped from the Indian squad.