‘Just to penalize the two Iyer and Kishan is not correct’ – Kirti Azad urges Indian Cricket Board to make Ranji Trophy participation compulsory for all players

Former India cricketer Kirti Azad has backed the decision of the Indian Cricket Board about the need for players to play domestic games if they are not playing an international match. Notably, the Indian Cricket Board has recently terminated the contracts of star batters Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer over their non-participation in the Ranji Trophy games.

However, Kirti Azad feels it is a great move, as real cricket is a five-day game, not just playing T20Is. The former wicketkeeper batter feels that playing domestic cricket keeps you in sublime form. However, the 65-year-old cricketer feels that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should also play the first-class game if they are not part of the Indian squad at some point.

“It (directive) is a very good move. Everybody should be playing Ranji Trophy cricket, but currently, the emphasis is on the IPL. It is good, it is entertaining but the real cricket is the (five) days’ cricket. Playing in domestic cricket is good, it keeps you in touch. But whenever you are free, even if you’re a Rohit Sharma or a Virat Kohli, you should go back and play domestic cricket for the state,” Kirti Azad said on PTI.

Everybody should be seen with the same mirror: Kirti Azad

Kirti Azad feels that just giving punishment to Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan is wrong, and everybody should be penalized for not playing first-class games. Moreover, the 1983 World Cup-winning star feels that youngsters are missing rather than playing prodigiously for the state.

“That (state) gave you the opportunity to be a player, get selected and then play for the country. Just to penalize the two (Iyer and Kishan) is not correct, I think everybody should be penalized. Everybody should be seen with the same mirror. All these senior Test team players would play for their sides, would play for the pride of their state which seems missing in the youngsters nowadays,” he added further.