Team India's ODI specialists asked to skip Ranji games

What’s the story?

In a bid to ensure that Team India has a full strength at its disposal for future games, and to cut the risk of injuries, the BCCI has barred ‘limited-overs specialists’ from playing Ranji Trophy games

"The idea is to preserve these players. They have been doing well for the ODI team and there's no point in burning them out or risking injuries by playing domestic matches," a source close to the BCCI informed The Times of India.

In case you didn’t know…

Talks of burnout might soon do the rounds, as the Indian team has been dealing with choc-a-bloc schedules for the past year and a half.

Virat Kohli recently had no qualms in admitting that the team has not been able to properly prepare for the upcoming South Africa tour, owing to the cramped schedule.

The heart of the matter

A group of limited-overs specialists like Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya have been training at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, while the Indian Test team plays a three-match series against Sri Lanka.

Chahal, who hasn’t made his Test debut yet, volunteered to play for Haryana in the Ranji, while Karthik and Jadhav opted themselves out of the domestic fixtures, citing niggles. However, the leggie's request was shot down.

"Chahal had asked for permission to play for Haryana but he was not allowed to do so by the team management. Instead, he was asked to stay back at NCA after the T20I series against New Zealand a fortnight ago," the source said.

What’s next?

After the ongoing Test series ends, the limited-overs leg will follow, with three ODIs and as many T20Is set to be played. Most of the recovering players will leave the NCA by the end of November.

Author’s take

While the idea of conserving players is a good move considering the cramped schedule, giving them leeway to play a game or two could, in fact, help the players gain some rhythm in the lead-up to their international assignments.

Also, given that Team India players rarely represent their domestic teams, this could have been an opportunity for the respective sides to get some game time from their best players, even for a short while. Chahal’s inclusion, for instance, could have buoyed the Haryana side, who have been struck with as many as six injuries at the moment.