Team India players must play domestic matches to stay eligible for selection: BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a new policy requiring players to participate in domestic matches to remain eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts. The decision, announced on Thursday, aims to strengthen the domestic cricket ecosystem, foster talent development, and inspire emerging players by ensuring the involvement of top cricketers at the domestic level.

According to the BCCI, participating in domestic matches is now mandatory, with exceptions only permitted in extraordinary circumstances. Such exemptions will require formal notification and approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee. The policy emphasizes maintaining players’ connection with domestic cricket to enhance match fitness and ensure continuity in talent progression.

A statement from the BCCI underlined the broader vision of the policy: “This policy ensures that players remain connected to the domestic cricket ecosystem, fostering talent development, maintaining match fitness, and strengthening the overall domestic structure. It also inspires emerging players by providing them opportunities to compete alongside top cricketers.”

The announcement follows India’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which also resulted in the team missing out on a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s. This loss has added urgency to efforts aimed at strengthening the team and ensuring players are in peak form.

In light of the new policy, several prominent players have already committed to domestic cricket. Rohit Sharma has reunited with Mumbai’s squad for training sessions ahead of the second phase of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. Similarly, Shubman Gill has confirmed his availability for Punjab’s sixth-round Ranji Trophy fixture against Karnataka, scheduled to start on January 23 at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The BCCI is also reviewing its team management setup. Sources indicate that assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar are under scrutiny due to dissatisfaction with their contributions. Reports suggest that Sitanshu Kotak, a former Saurashtra cricketer, is set to join Team India as an assistant batting coach.