Top international players Mohammed Siraj and KL Rahul were left out of the South Zone roster for the forthcoming Duleep Trophy, which has angered the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The board has responded by sending a formal email to all state associations, asking them to prioritize centrally contracted players for the start of the domestic season.
On July 27, the South Zone declared their team without naming prominent players like Rahul, Siraj, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, and Sai Sudharsan. This was the beginning of the issue. The Duleep Trophy, which begins in Bengaluru on August 28, is widely regarded as a pivotal event for both local and national talent. Not everyone was happy with the South Zone’s choice to exclude these players, although they were available during the current off-season.
Abey Kuruvilla emails zonal convenors and the state association.
Last week, Abey Kuruvilla, the BCCI’s General Manager of Cricket Operations, addressed the issue in an email to zonal convenors and state associations. According to the Indian Express, Kuruvilla emphasized in the email how crucial it is to ensure that all Indian players participate to maintain the Duleep Trophy’s standing and caliber of competition.
“To uphold its prestige and ensure the highest quality of competition, all currently available Indian players must be selected for their respective zonal teams,” Kuruvilla wrote. “Requesting the Zonal Convenors to ensure that all the current Indian players who are available to play the Duleep Trophy should be picked,” he added.
BBCI warned players against giving the IPL priority over first-class cricket
The directive follows BCCI’s longstanding policy that mandates international players’ participation in domestic tournaments. Earlier this year, the board warned players against giving the IPL priority over first-class cricket and reminded all centrally contracted players to adhere to the domestic schedule. This requirement was further emphasized after India’s Test tour of Australia in January.
It is still unclear if the selectors will alter South Zone’s roster, although they had already disclosed their team when the BCCI provided orders. Tilak Varma captained the South Zone team; however, none of the well-known international players in question were chosen to be captains.
Other players, including Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep, will play for their respective zones.
