Overview:
At the moment, the BCCI does not permit active Indian players to take part in foreign franchise leagues.
Ravi Shastri has called for more Indian players to be allowed to feature in overseas T20 leagues. According to him, competing alongside international cricketers would offer young Indian talent excellent exposure and help them develop a broader perspective on the game.
At the moment, the BCCI does not permit active Indian players to take part in foreign franchise leagues. Only those who have retired from both domestic and international cricket can play abroad, and even then, they need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the board.
Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s most experienced off-spinners, recently became the first high-profile player from the country to sign with a Big Bash League (BBL) team. He will represent Sydney Thunder in the upcoming season.
“India’s a huge country, and not every talented player gets the chance to represent the national team. If someone isn’t able to break into the Test squad, why prevent them from playing in leagues like the Big Bash? Give them a Level C or D contract and let them gain experience,” Shastri said on the Willow Talk podcast.
“That kind of exposure will benefit him when he returns, just like the IPL has done for many youngsters by allowing them to share the field with world-class players,” he added.
The former Indian coach believes that aside from competing with international players, Indian cricketers would also learn a great deal from legendary figures involved in coaching when playing abroad.
“They learn how to cope with pressure, and on top of that, they get the chance to interact with major international names like Ricky Ponting, Stephen Fleming, and other top players,” he mentioned.
“It’s a form of education and in my view, there’s no better way to learn than by going abroad. The exposure is invaluable, not just from a cricketing perspective but also in terms of experiencing different cultures and approaches. You pick up all sorts of things, how a West Indian trains might be completely different from an Australian, for example,” he concluded.