Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not prioritizing the Ranji Trophy over India A tours. The 90th edition of the premier domestic red-ball tournament is currently underway, and several players are showing their class.
The legendary batter opened up on the BCCI’s treatment towards the Ranji Trophy as several players will miss the games due to the four-match T20I series against South Africa. He also highlighted that some of the players will travel to Australia with the India A team, making them unavailable for the tournament.
“There are needless four T20Is against South Africa before the important tour to Australia. India A will also play in Australia, so many Indian players will not be available for their state teams in the Ranji Trophy,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
The four-match T20I series against South Africa will start on November 8.
“No other big cricket board treats their national tournament as cavalierly as India does. England and Australia don’t arrange the tours of their A teams or the meaningless series during their domestic season. Ever since the IPL started, Ranji Trophy has taken a back seat. Hopefully, things will change from the next season or is that hoping for too much?” he added.