If you’re fit, then why sit? Mohammad Kaif backs BCCI rule on playing Ranji Games

BCCI recently made a new decision that centrally contracted players will need to play Ranji Trophy matches. Former India player Mohammad Kaif believes BCCI has taken the right decision. Mohammad Kaif also questioned why a player wants to skip domestic cricket if he is fit.

Interestingly, there are rumours that BCCI took this decision after Ishan Kishan disagreed to confirm to BCCI order. The Indian Cricket Board urged the Jharkhand player to play in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024. However, he did not play any games in the tournament.

Ishan Kishan took a break in December last year due to mental fatigue. He opted out of the India vs South Africa Test series. Later, he did not return to the national side. Notably, there are reports that Ishan Kishan is preparing for the forthcoming IPL 2024, where he will play for Mumbai Indians.

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If a player is fit, why he wants to sit: Mohammad Kaif

During a conversation with ANI, former India fielding legend Mohammad Kaif backed BCCI’s decision to force central players to play domestic cricket. He noted if a player is fit, why he wants to sit at home.

“This is a good decision, albeit coming a little late. If you are fit and have made a full recovery from your injury, then why sit at home? The state cricket boards help aspiring crickets and do the necessary hand-holding when they are trying to find their feet in the game, the 43-year-old said.

Kaif, who played for India in ODI World Cups 2003 and 2007, also said that one should not forget their state teams after gaining success.

“When nobody knows you, you play for your state, play Ranji to prove your mettle and get noticed by the national selectors. However, once you have become an established India player, you don’t give your services to state cricket as you used to earlier”, he said.

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I see it as the right decision: Mohammad Kaif

IPL 2024 is expected to commence in the 3rd or 4th week of March. There is almost more than a month for the tournament. Kaif also feels it doesn’t make sense to skip the Ranji Trophy now for IPL 2024, which commences in March. BCCI has made a new rule that IPL players will need to play at least 4 matches in the Ranji Trophy.

“I understand the IPL being prioritized over other events but it won’t get underway until March. So it doesn’t make sense for people to sit idly at home and not play Ranji cricket in the meantime. Hence, I see it as the right decision,” Mohammad Kaif further added.

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Notably. Ishan Kishan was also ousted from the ongoing IND vs ENG Test series. KS Bharat, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan are the three wicketkeepers who made it into India’s squad. Interestingly, Ishan Kishan played in the Test series against West Indies in August last year, which was Team India’s first series in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.