"Don't be surprised if young Indian players aren't injured and still skipping domestic Cricket.."- Aakash Chopra rips apart Ishan Kishan

Former Indian cricketer turned expert analyst Aakash Chopra feels that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should have warned all the cricketers long ago that there would be consequences for deciding to snub from appearing in Ranji Trophy matches and only prioritize IPL as the only domestic tournament to feature in.

Aakash Chopra’s comments have come in the light of BCCI Honorable Secretary Jay Shah sending a clear message to all the players about having to play in domestic events like the Ranji Trophy if they are in full fitness and are not selected to represent the senior team at that time.

The message was a cryptic and clear-cut warning to some of the nationally contracted players Ishan Kishan, Krunal Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer among others who have continuously snubbed first-class cricket this winter.

The list might also have something to do with Krunal’s brother Hardik Pandya but him being a senior figure and imperative to India’s white-ball side, the BCCI won’t take any actions against the all-rounder.

Way before Jay Shah announced in Rajkot that Rohit Sharma would hoist the tri-color in the ICC T20 World Cup later this June, Pandya had been elected as their captain for the shortest format but the Baroda-born has still not recovered from injury since 19 October when India defeated Bangladesh in the Cricket World Cup group stage match.

With Pandya being so important, he has more than just solid chances to be integrated right away but those who are practicing only to perform well in the IPL and then possibly hope to get their tickets booked for USA and West Indies at the expense of Ranji will not select and that’s a step towards the right direction and, should have been done a long ago, feels Aakash Chopra.

“BCCI have said that if they have given you a central contract, then if you are not injured, play cricket because they will select you from there only, or else it’s not going to happen. In my opinion, step in the right direction. This should have been done earlier itself.” – Aakash Chopra said on his latest YouTube video.

“Things have changed and for the good”, Aakash Chopra praises BCCI’s decision

Aakash Chopra went on to state that the BCCI had enough of that category of players who have shown no love for Ranji, especially after a complaint from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee. Chopra also condemned the players for giving injury excuses even when they are not and reminded them from now on things will change for the good.

“Don’t be surprised, especially the young players, if they are not injured and are still skipping first-class cricket, remember that BCCI have also talked about the consequences of that on the IPL contract. Things have changed and for the good.” – Chopra added.

“They (players) say they are injured or have a niggle, so the BCCI said that it’s enough. The penny has to drop. A line in the sand will be drawn somewhere and that has happened.” – Aakash Chopra concluded.