BCCI's Ranji trophy participation rule not to apply on Hardik Pandya, confirms official

In a recent development, an official source from the BCCI has revealed that the board is planning to make amendments to its reforms for player development, especially those who willingly snub red-ball and first-class cricket for shorter formats. The source also disclosed the real reason why Hardik Pandya shouldn’t or doesn’t play the longest format anymore.

Hardik Pandya hasn’t played any Test cricket since September 2018 when he featured in the first 4 of a 5-match series in England and he is unlikely to feature for India’s Test team ever again. It doesn’t have much to do with his commitment or priority towards the shorter formats, where he still stands among India’s best performers in the last 4-5 years.

The 30-year-old has been out of all cricketing actions since October 2023 when he rolled over his right ankle over a ball that was hit by a Bangladesh batter for a straight drive during a league stage match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. There were indications that he would return in time for the Indians in the World Cup but persistent pain in his ankle during a practice session ruled him out entirely.

He was expected to lead India in the T20 series against Australia at home that followed after the CWC as well as the white ball phase of the South African tour in December. However, Hardik Pandya could not recover in time and now it is being said that his return is likely to happen through the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League.

The Gujarat-born all-rounder has moved back to his first IPL team – the Mumbai Indians where he will be undertaking the full-time captaincy role for the first time. As he aims to regain fitness, a BCCI official has stated that why Pandya isn’t being directed to feature in red-ball matches.

“We can understand Hardik Pandya’s case as his body can’t take the rigors of red-ball cricket. He can’t withstand the workload of Test cricket and team India needs him fit for ICC events,” a BCCI official told PTI. 

Hardik Pandya Is An Exception But Other Youngsters Should Play Test Cricket Frequently

The BCCI official went on to state that Hardik Pandya’s case is an exception because of his fitness and given his seniority, he has earned the right to decide which format he wants to prioritize. That statement could be a cryptic dig taken towards outcast wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan who is on the news for all the wrong reasons due to his behavior and reluctance to play Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand.

There are also indications about Kishan being dismissed from BCCI’s central contracts after he was seen practicing with the Pandya brothers for IPL 2024 instead of joining Jharkhand to play Ranji Trophy games. The source would also disclose that BCCI has asked Kishan to feature for his state in their upcoming clash against Rajasthan.

“Some of the other youngsters, whenever you call them, they will cite that they are currently doing physio work and that needs to be stopped somewhere. The decision makers in BCCI are well aware that some players don’t want to play any red-ball cricket,” the official source concluded.