Kishan’s prioritization of the IPL over first-class cricket has prompted the BCCI to enforce a minimum requirement of Ranji Trophy games for players to be eligible for the IPL auction pool.
Joining Kishan in missing action are Deepak Chahar and Shreyas Iyer. Despite specific instructions for the trio to participate in first-class cricket for their state teams, they remaini missing. However, Iyer’s absence is attributed to concerns with his lower back and groin.
In Kishan’s absence, Kumar Kushagra has taken up wicket-keeping duties for Jharkhand, who are facing Rajasthan in their final match with only one win and 10 points from six matches so far.
Kishan’s repeated absence, following his return from the national team’s South Africa tour citing “travel fatigue,” has raised eyebrows, particularly as he was seen training with his new Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya, while his state team struggled in the Ranji Trophy.
There is growing consensus within the Indian cricket establishment that a stringent policy must be enforced to prevent young players from “playing IPL to IPL” at the expense of first-class cricket.
(With PTI inputs)
