Should Indian Players Be Allowed To Play In Foreign Leagues?

Have you ever wondered, cheering for Dhoni when he is lighting the stumps for Hobart Hurricanes or Trinbago Knight Riders? Watching Kohli smack bowlers over covers by reaching a dance-formation of a ‘Nataraja’ for a Yorkshire or Rangpur Riders? Or Jasprit Bumrah destroying the stump with his toe-crushing Yorkers for Sydney Sixers? You must have got what I’m saying probably and yet the truth is it might never happen. We all know that the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) doesn’t allow any Indian players to participate in any foreign leagues.  

The incident is somewhat sad, as we want to visualize our domestic players and the ones who aren’t under any contract, to prove their mettle in such leagues. Consequently, the performances in these leagues might make their case for International selection. Along with the IPL, these leagues are still an ideal platform for these cricketers as they can develop their game in a concise manner suitable for International cricket and subsequently learn newer things.

Why BCCI doesn’t allow Indian cricketers to participate in these leagues?

• Indian cricketers are prone to draw large audiences to the stadium
• IPL won’t stay as the world leader in T20 tournaments
• Indian cricketers may not be interested in participating in IPL as they end up earning more in other leagues
• Domestic cricket in India might get affected

The above points are basically the structured way for rejecting this ordeal. The first two points are the lucrative ways for basically avoiding that, IPL doesn’t lose its monopoly as the strongest player in the business. Otherwise the remaining two points is just a mere reflection of their planning against these cricketers.

Advantages and disadvantages in participating in these leagues?

Advantages:

• Understanding foreign pitches to a greater extend for adapting in International cricket
• Learning from the biggest heads in the game and a diverse group of players and mentors
• Getting used to different conditions mentally and physically
• Additional options of earning

Disadvantages:

• Players may miss the cut to play international test cricket for the country as most of these cricketers are still selected based on their ‘Ranji’ performances
• Players may miss out on selection in International ‘A’ tours as such players would be contracted with these leagues

In the end, it is still a huge debate regarding this issue and many cricketers are starting to get vocal about it. Cricketers like Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Robin Uthappa have expressed their concerns and have urged the BCCI to look upon the request. Personally, I think that there should be a structured method of allowing at least these uncontracted players to play in these leagues. BCCI can plan this ordeal in a manner that it doesn’t take away the importance of their domestic structure.

According to you should, BCCI allow Indian cricketers to participate in foreign leagues?

Looking forward to your opinions in the comment section.

Image Source- News Today

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