– Atreyo Mukhopadhyay
It was great to see that the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) convened a meeting to chalk out a roadmap for the men’s 50-over World Cup to be hosted by India later this year. It is fantastic that the top board officials, coach, captain and others got together, exchanged views and took a few decisions, which they think, will stand the team in good stead. There were questionable announcements as well. I will come to those later.
Let me talk about the laudable things first. If they have actually decided to identify a pool of 20 players, it is an excellent move. Yes, the BCCI cannot be very rigid about it because there might be fitness and form-related issues over the next few months. But to zoom in on a set of players looking ahead to the big event appears to be a very good idea. If special attention is paid to this lot with a plan in mind, it will be brilliant.
To bring back the Yo-Yo test is another significant decision. It used to be an integral part of the system to evaluate the physical abilities and endurance levels of the players. For Covid-19 and other reasons, this had been discontinued. To make the Yo-Yo test mandatory again will in all probability make sure that fitness levels are alright. Mind you, there are too many fitness-related problems these days.
To introduce the Dexa method of testing bone density and power is another welcome call. Getting a clear idea of how capable the players are is very important, as we all know. Because of the workload and the rigours of playing three formats every now and then, it is crucial to assess the physical condition of the players. Having a system in place before going ahead with the ones who can withstand this is a step forward indeed.
Now, let me come to the slightly debatable parts. “The emerging players will have to play a substantial domestic season to be eligible for selection to the national team,” said the official BCCI announcement. What exactly does it mean? Did Umran Malik catch attention playing domestic cricket before he was included in the Indian team? Till date, he has played seven first-class matches and eight List A ones. In fact, his first-class debut was for India A.
This means, he practically had no domestic experience before being thrown into international cricket. So, to say, that players will have to spend a substantial time in the domestic circuit before becoming eligible for India selection is a bit contradictory, if one goes by the example of this Jammu and Kashmir sensation. Doing well in Ranji Trophy and other national-level events for a couple of seasons was always the benchmark earlier. To say that this is compulsory now is a bit odd.
“Keeping in mind the Men’s FTP and preparations for ICC CWC 2023, the NCA (National Cricket Academy based in Bengaluru) will work in tandem with the IPL Franchisee to monitor the targeted Indian players participating in the IPL 2023.” This is the third point in the official BCCI statement. Again, what does this mean? If the NCA thinks a certain Jasprit Bumrah or Hardik Pandya or anybody else should be fielded sparingly in the IPL, will the franchisees listen to them?
That way, this was another statement with lack of clarity about it. The IPL sides spend enormous money on the players they choose. Obviously, they will want to make optimum use of them unless they are injured or unwell. So, to say that they will be ‘monitored’ without clarifying what this means was a bit perplexing. Surely, the NCA will not have its way if it proposes that some of the 20 players shortlisted by the BCCI for the World Cup should not play all IPL games.
These recommendations are great in principle. What these propose or suggest can do Indian cricket a world of good. How practical they are, that has to be seen. There is a difference between saying something and actually making them happen. It is fantastic to see that the BCCI is trying its best to chart a roadmap. But there should be full clarity about it.