Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan Urge BCCI To Allow Indian Players Play In Overseas Leagues

Out-of-favour India batsman Suresh Raina and former allrounder Irfan Pathan feel the BCCI should allow Indian players to participate in foreign leagues. The BCCI does not allow the active Indian players to take part in overseas T20 leagues. Last year, the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Manpreet Gony had to retire from international and domestic cricket before getting the nod for the Global T20 Canada.

On the other hand, Irfan Pathan as well as Harbhajan Singh had to withdraw their names after registering themselves in the draft for the Caribbean Premier League and The Hundred respectively. Pathan, who retired earlier this year, was still an active player last year while Harbhajan is yet to retire from international and domestic cricket.

However, Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan now want the BCCI to change its stance on overseas leagues. The left-handed batsman backed his point by saying that playing in different leagues would give the players a chance to make their comeback in the national team. Suresh Raina has not played for India since 2018.

“I wish BCCI plans something with ICC or the franchises that Indian players get to play foreign leagues. At least allow us to play in two different foreign leagues. If we play quality cricket in terms of foreign leagues, then it would be good for us. All international players make a comeback by playing in all those leagues,” Suresh Raina told Pathan during their live Instagram session on Saturday.

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Pathan also agreed with Suresh Raina’s point of view and said the BCCI should at least allow those players to play in foreign T20 leagues who are not on the radar to play international matches.

“There is a different mindset in different countries. Michael Hussey made his debut at the age of 29 for Australia, an Indian player can never make his debut at the age of 30. I think as long as you are fit, you should be available to play for your country. I would suggest that all those players who are 30 years old and they are not on your radar to play international matches, you should allow them to play in foreign leagues,” Pathan told Suresh Raina.

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