"This is unjust and exploitation" - Cricket fraternity slams BCCI over reported 'cooling-off period' for retired players joining T20 leagues

Reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will soon bring a 'cooling-off period' policy to prevent 'pre-determined retirements' have led to scathing criticism from the cricket fraternity.

The issue here is the participation of Indian cricketers in non-Indian T20 leagues and other such tournaments. As per current regulations, active male cricketers are barred from playing in any foreign T20 or other format's league.

The Indian Express, reporting after the board's AGM meeting in Mumbai, claimed that this policy will mean that Indian players won't be able to join a foreign T20 league for a certain time after retirement. The report said it is aimed to stop players from retiring from internationals only to join private leagues for money.

“We’ll come out with a policy to prevent the trend of pre-determined retirement. The office bearers will make a policy and send it back for approval,” Shah said, as quoted in the report.

However, most fans, observers, and journalists on Twitter felt the policy is exploitatory, discriminatory, and even high-handed. They felt the BCCI will take away the right to earn money from individuals and might not have a legal right to do so.

Here are the top reactions to the issue:

Ambati Rayudu pulls out of Texas Super Kings squad after BCCI's 'cooling policy' report surfaces

Soon after the report, former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu pulled out of the squad of Texas Super Kings (TSK). It is CSK's sister franchise in the USA's upcoming Major League Cricket. Rayudu cited "personal reasons."

"Ambati Rayudu will not be available to participate in the first season of the MLC with Texas Super Kings due to personal reasons," TSK said in a statement. "He will continue to cheer for the team from India."

A night before playing an important cameo for CSK in the IPL 2023 final, Rayudu announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on May 28. TSK announced that he'll join them for MLC's inaugural season on June 15.