In recent discussions about Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been stressing the importance of Ranji Trophy participation for certain players. However, one notable exemption from this directive is Hardik Pandya, leading to questions about the rationale behind it.

The push for mandatory Ranji Trophy involvement gained traction after an incident involving Ishan Kishan, who chose personal training over representing his state team, Jharkhand. The BCCI aims to ensure players like Ishan, Krunal Pandya, and Deepak Chahar prioritize red-ball cricket. Yet, Hardik Pandya’s situation raises eyebrows as he continues with personal training routines.

Addressing queries about this exception, a BCCI source explained to the Times of India that Hardik’s injury history and the strain of red-ball cricket on his body warrant special consideration. “We can understand Hardik Pandya’s case as his body can’t take the rigors of red-ball cricket. He can’t withstand the workload of Test cricket, and Team India needs him fit for ICC events,” the official clarified, emphasizing the importance of preserving his fitness for ICC tournaments.

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Hardik’s last Test appearance for India was during the tour of England in 2018, while his last Ranji Trophy match dates back to the same year when he contributed significantly against Mumbai, claiming seven wickets and scoring 73 runs.

BCCI officials ” We can understand Hardik Pandya’s Case as his body can’t take the rigors of red ball Cricket. He can’t withstand the world load of Test Cricket and Team India needs him for the ICC events”[TOI]

BCCI officials when asked about Hardik pandya’s absence from Ranji… pic.twitter.com/MKEnN5H8IN

— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) February 14, 2024

The BCCI’s concerns about players prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over red-ball cricket are evident. Discussions are ongoing to potentially mandate participation in 3-4 Ranji Trophy matches for IPL eligibility.

“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,” expressed a BCCI official.”The decision-makers in BCCI are well aware that some players don’t want to play any red-ball cricket,” the official added.

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While recognizing that some players prioritize T20 cricket over traditional formats, the BCCI remains vigilant to prevent IPL dominance from overshadowing the significance of domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy. Despite the IPL’s role in nurturing talent for the national team, the BCCI aims to uphold the importance of red-ball cricket.