Amid Ishan Kishan row, Indian Cricket Board set to make playing 3-4 Ranji games mandatory for IPL 2024 participation: Reports

According to sources, the Indian Cricket Board may decide to mandate a minimum number of Ranji Trophy games for players to be eligible for the IPL 2024, as few players like Ishan Kishan’s reluctance to play first-class cricket and exclusive focus on the IPL. Notably, it has been reported that the Indian Cricket Board has reportedly told the left-handed batter to play Jharkhand’s last group league match against Rajasthan in Jamshedpur, commencing on February 16.

However, the Indian Cricket Board accepted that few players do not want to play first-class games. The board had requested that they play Syed Mushtaq Ali games and domestic first-class Ranji Trophy games if they were not part of the squad.

“The decision-makers in BCCI are well aware that some players don’t want to play any red ball cricket. If they are out of the Indian team, they would at best play a few Mushtaq Ali T20 games and then not report for state team duty during red ball season,” a senior Indian Cricket Board official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Players can’t play IPL or even appear in IPL auction if released by their franchise: Indian Cricket Board

Meanwhile, the board strongly said that players need to play at least 3–4 Ranji Trophy games, and if they don’t, then they are not eligible for the IPL 2024. Moreover, sources believe that players may avoid first-class games if they are really injured, citing the example of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

“To rein in such players, the board in all likelihood will make it mandatory to play 3-4 Ranji Trophy games, failing which, they can’t play IPL or even appear in IPL auction if released by their franchise. We can understand Hardik Pandya’s case as his body can’t take the rigours of red-ball cricket. He can’t withstand the workload of Test cricket and India needs him fit for events. But some of the other youngsters, whenever you call them, they will cite that they are currently doing physio work. There needs to be a stop somewhere,” the statement reads further.