‘Non-participation will carry severe implications…’ – Jay Shah gives stern warning to players skipping first-class games

The Indian Cricket Board secretary, Jay Shah, wrote the letter to centrally contracted players and India A players to appear for domestic games if they are not part of current India vs. England five-match Test series. Notably, there have been reports that India’s star cricketer, Ishan Kishan, has been out of domestic games and has not appeared for the final Ranji Games for Jharkhand, despite several warnings.

However, Jay Shah released the final letter and wrote that some players are giving priority to IPL 2024 over appearing for the first-class game and called this act the new trend among the players. The cricket administrator also talks about the importance of domestic games and how Indian cricket is dependent on them to take the national side to the epitome of the level.

“There is a recent trend that has started to emerge and is a cause for concern. Some players have begun prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket, a shift that was not anticipated. Domestic cricket has always been the foundation upon which Indian cricket stands, and it has never been undervalued in our vision for the sport,” Jay Shah states in the letter, as reported by the Indian Express.

Domestic cricket was seen not just as a commitment: Jay Shah

The statement further reads that the side has always depended on domestic games, and one needs to excel in the first-class game. In addition, Jay Shah also cites the example of Sunil Gavaskar, who excelled in first-class games and took the Indian side to the pinnacle of the level.

“Our vision for Indian cricket has been clear from the outset – every cricketer aspiring to play for India must prove themselves in domestic cricket. Performance in domestic cricket remains a critical yardstick for selection and non-participation in domestic cricket will carry severe implications. Meanwhile, legends like Sunil Gavaskar exemplified this dedication, playing club cricket the morning they arrived from an international tour. Domestic cricket was seen not just as a commitment but as a responsibility and a source of pride,” the letter adds.