BCCI secretary Jay Shah writes a stern message to top cricketers for skipping Ranji Trophy

Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah wrote stern letters to centrally contracted as well as India A cricketers and warned them that ‘skipping domestic red-ball games will have severe implications’

“There is a recent trend that has started to emerge and is a cause for concern. Some players have begun prioritising 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,” Shah said in the letter.

“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,” wrote the BCCI secretary.

Jay Shah had earlier made it clear that the centrally contracted Indian cricketers will have to play domestic red-ball cricketer whenever they are available or asked to do so by the selection committee.

While Ishan Kishan has repeatedly overlooked head coach Rahul Dravid's directive to play domestic cricket if he wants to make a comeback, few other cricketers including Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar skipped the final round of Ranji Trophy matches that started on Friday.