Robin Uthappa Hopes BCCI President Sourav Ganguly Changes Rule, Allows Players To Play Overseas T20 Leagues

Robin Uthappa has joined Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan to urge the Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow their cricketers to play overseas T20 leagues across the globe. Indian cricketers have time and again urged their cricket board to provide them a No-objection Certificates (NOCs) for their participation in franchise T20 leagues.

However, the board has remained stubborn to their decision, and declined them the NOC. Most cricketers who are out-of-favour from the national team or towards the twilight zone of their career have urged the board to allow them. In a recent interview, a top official from the board, had said that they cannot allow their cricketers play any other leagues to maintain their exclusivity.

Robin Uthappa: Sourav Ganguly is progressive thinking, hoping things will change 

Robin Uthappa was a fine limited-overs batsman who made his last international appearance in 2015 against Zimbabwe. He, however, continues to play in the Ranji trophy and has been an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the IPL.

Uthappa pleaded the board to allow players to play overseas T20 league. He said it will be nice as a student of the game to keep learning. The right-handed batsman also showed belief in BCCI president and hoped he will look into the matter.

“Please let us go, honest to God. It does hurt when we’re not allowed to go and play … It would be so nice if we could go and play at least a couple of others because as a student of the game you want to learn and grow as much as you can,” Uthappa told the BBC.

“Ganguly is a very progressive thinking human being, someone who has always looked to take India to the next level. He actually laid the foundation for where India cricket is now. We’re hoping that he will look at this at some point,” Uthappa added.

Notably the rule in meant for only men’s cricket in India with women being allowed to play in overseas T20 leagues across the world.