Panel running BCCI a black mark on cricket
Cricket needs clear decisions but confusion seems to be prevailing
Africa has suffered a player drain thanks to the Kolpak ruling. Many of their talented players have opted to sign long-term contracts with English Counties rather than face the challenge of representing their country in an era where the quota system impacts selection.
At a time when players are better paid and have much wider playing options than ever before, the West Indies has suffered the consequences more than any other team. Many of their experienced and most exciting players have chosen to ply their trade on the lucrative T 20 circuit, rather than accept a contract from the cash-strapped West Indies Board.
The end result is the once allpowerful West Indies are now forced to qualify for the next World Cup and they’ll be attempting to do so minus a number of experienced players. It’s imperative the best players are regularly available to play International cricket. However, cricket is currently stuck in a rut; unsure whether the priority is the international or the franchise game, undecided about what form the game will take in the future.
There appears to be no longterm blueprint for its future direction. The schedule is planned as though it’s a game of “pin the tail on the donkey”. And the way T20 leagues pop up like mushrooms in a dank climate, it’s safe to assume that many administrators are in agreement with Buttler’s prediction.
The problems can’t be resolved while the ICC runs part of the game and the individual Boards control the rest. The words of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating; “Always back self-interest because you know it’s a goer,” ring true when the individual Boards sit round the negotiating table.
When Vinod Rai, the chief of the COA, made his critical point about the BCCI needing to consult the players, the administrators and the fans, he should’ve applied that instruction to the overall game. Serious consultation on the game’s future needs to take place between all stakeholders, including the different media outlets.
Despite many attempts to streamline and modernise world cricket administration, no worthwhile progress has been made. There was a time when I thought the best chance to make real change could come through action from the international players’ association. However, now that the players have more choice and certainly for the better ones, a really good financial deal, there’s less likelihood of this happening.
In Morgan’s statement regarding Test cricket having a “lot to worry about”, he added; “”If something was going to be done about it, it probably should have been done already.” That sentiment could aptly be applied to the game as a whole.
TESTING DEPTH
This tri-series presents India with two challenges. The team will be without Dhoni and Kohli for an entire series after a long time. This gives the likes of Shankar, Sundar, Hooda, Pant and Siraj an extended run to showcase their talent on the bigger stage.
Barring Hooda and Shankar, the rest got a chance in at least one series during the heights of the ‘experimentation’ and ‘rotation’ stage under Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri.
This tournament will be closely watched by Indian selectors and Indian Premier League franchises. A great show in Sri Lanka will only enhance the talent pool of Indian cricket and increase Kohli and the selectors’ problem of plenty, which is a good thing.
The inclusion of Hooda, Shankar, Sundar, Pant and Siraj are rewards for their consistency in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Hooda and Pant have aggressive strike-rates and a good average.
Pant, who had struggled in one Twenty20 against the West Indies in 2017 and in the Ranji Trophy, roared back to form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, hammering 411 runs at a strikerate of 195.6, including a 38-ball 116 against Himachal Pradesh.
On recent form, Hooda, who had expressed that he hopes to get a chance in the Indian team for this series, seems a sure fit having excelled in both Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali.
Sundar, who made his ODI and T20 debut against Sri Lanka in December, could be a vital support to Yuzvendra Chahal in conditions that will assist him while Siraj, the leading wickettaker in the 2017/18 Vijay Hazare Trophy with 23 wickets, will be aiming to seize the chance after a poor start against New Zealand.