A lesson learnt

A discernible smirk adorned the faces of reporters at the postmatch press conference last Monday when skipper Rohit Sharma delivered a stern message for players wanting to make it to the national Test team without putting in the hard yards adding that opportunities will only be given to those who show lsquohunger for successrsquo in this formatJin logon ko bhookh hai hum unhi logon ko mauka denge We will give opportunities to only those who are hungry Agar hunger nahi hai to unko khila ke koi matlab nahi hai Theres no point in engaging with those who lack the drive he said His remarks intensified the spotlight on Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan both of whom have featured in Indiarsquos Test squads recently but have skipped Ranji Trophy since being droppedAlso ReadMumbai Indians a cricketing tour de forceIn an exclusive chat with MidDay former India ODI batsman and founder of KheloMore Jatin Paranjape echoed Sharmarsquos sentiments about the team managementrsquos refusal to entertain players with no burning desire to performldquoLeadership is important and Rohit just a couple of days ago made it clear that India values Test cricket I always say that lsquoTest Cricket will give you the reputation IPL will give you the Moolahrsquo The BCCI is managing the prioritisation of Test cricket very well I must say The BCCI has a fantastic model of domestic cricket and I feel this model is growing stronger sicrdquo said ParanjapeldquoYou might not see top players playing too many domestic matches and this is more due to their busy international schedule rather than any disinterest on their parts But some guardrails need to be drawn with repeat offenders who keep their bodies fresh only for the IPL There should be zero tolerance towards this sicrdquoAsk any former cricketer firstclass serves as the bedrock of ones journey providing a crucible for talent refinement skill enhancement and the cultivation of a robust cricketing ethos It is within the crucible of domestic cricket that aspiring players hone their craft familiarise themselves with different formats and develop the mental resilience required for the rigours of international competition In recent times however there has been a growing trend among some who buoyed by their international success have opted to bypass domestic commitments leading to concerns about the potential ramifications for the broader health of Indian cricketAlso Read English lsquobazrsquobowledrsquoIt is no secret that domestic cricket once the epitome of excellence among players is grappling with a discernible diminution of its sheen The migration of players towards the instant gratification of the IPL and the changing tastes of modern spectators collectively contribute to the erosion of its charmThe challenge lies in its revitalisation ensuring that it continues to hold its rightful place in Indiarsquos cricketing pantheon revered for its strategic battles enduring contests and timeless appealRecognising the critical role of domestic cricket in the holistic development of cricketers the BCCI has therefore taken a resolute stance against those found guilty of abandoning their domestic responsibilitiesldquoThere is a recent trend that has started to emerge and is a cause for concern Some players have begun prioritising the IPL over domestic cricket a shift that was not anticipated Our vision for Indian cricket has been clear from the outset ndash every cricketer aspiring to play for India must prove themselves in domestic cricket Performance in domestic cricket remains a critical yardstick for selection and nonparticipation in domestic cricket will carry severe implicationsrdquo read BCCI secretary Jay Shahrsquos letter to top cricketers earlier this monthShah did not break his promise Taking everyone by surprise the board on Wednesday announced that Iyer and Kishan were lsquonot consideredrsquo for the annual contracts in this round The move evoked mixed reactions with some former players like Kirti Azad and Irfan Pathan backing the outoffavour duoOthers questioned why the stern measures were not applicable for Hardik Pandya who remained in the A category despite not featuring in Ranji Trophy matches They are talented cricketers both Shreyas and Ishan Hoping they bounce back and come back stronger If players like Hardik dont want to play red ball cricket should he and others like him participate in whiteball domestic cricket when they arent on national duty If this doesnt apply to all then Indian cricket wont achieve the desired results Indias veteran pacer Pathan wrote on XRegardless of what the future holds for KishanIyer the proactive measures instituted by the board do mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of Indian cricket As the policies become more ingrained in Indiarsquos culture the board appears to envision a future where players inherently recognise the symbiotic relationship between their success on the international stage as well as the nurturing grounds of domestic cricket