IPL 2024 is less than two months away. It is the biggest cricket league in the world, and the BCCI gets heavily rewarded financially by it. Despite the success of the cash-studded league, the apex board is unhappy with the players prioritising IPL over domestic cricket.
Board’s displeasure comes around the time when Ishan Kishan, who is out of the Indian side, is busy training for IPL 2024 in Baroda with Hardik and Krunal Pandya instead of featuring for Jharkhand in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
According to reports from TOI, BCCI has sent a message to the Indian cricketers telling them to prioritise domestic cricket over the lucrative IPL. The report also suggests that the Roger Binny-led board will send a directive for all cricketers to play for their state team in the Ranji Trophy if they are not on national duty.
“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 Ishan Kishan saga
Things are not well between Ishan and the Indian management, as things turned sour when the keeper-batter asked for a break from the South African tour. During the time off, Ishan went to Dubai, which irked BCCI. Since that incident, Kishan has not earned a single India call-up and there were reports that Rahul Dravid asked him to play a few games in the Ranji Trophy.
However, Ishan ignored the advice and was seen practising with MI skipper Hardik Pandya in Baroda. Further, a few reports even mentioned that Ishan was unhappy with selectors over Jitesh Sharma’s selection into the side.
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