‘To play for India, you have to do well in IPL’

There is deepening focus by the BCCI on domestic cricket, with a clear message that centrally contracted players may be taken to task if they miss domestic games while not playing for India. This increased attention even got senior professionals like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing for their respective state sides in the Ranji Trophy last year, after a modest start in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The push to emphasize the role of domestic cricket started during the tenure of former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, and the current selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar and assisted by head coach Gautam Gambhir has carried on the move. Both have emphasised that the players have to play domestic and India A games when they can if they want to stay in the consideration across all formats.

However, not everyone shares that view. Navdeep Saini, the out-of-favour India pacer, voiced a contrasting opinion after Delhi’s Ranji clash against Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, where he took 2 for 20 in nine overs. Speaking to PTI, Saini bluntly stated that, in his opinion, the IPL remains the true yardstick for national selection.

“Whether one likes it or not, to play for India, you have to do well in IPL. It is a reality. A year before, I had a shoulder injury and my pace dropped it cost me an IPL contract,” Saini said.

“Yes, I can but I love this challenge of bowling in days’ games. Last match, I didn’t get wickets (in Hyderabad) as the wicket was slow. On this track, post Tea, it became lively,” he said. He also said that he still dreams of making a comeback to the Indian team. “Why not? If I have a couple of fifers, I will again be part of the discussions,” said Saini.

“Yes, I can but I love this challenge of bowling in days’ games. Last match, I didn’t get wickets (in Hyderabad) as the wicket was slow. On this track, post Tea, it became lively,” he said. He also said that he still dreams of making a comeback to the Indian team. “Why not? If I have a couple of fifers, I will again be part of the discussions,” said Saini.

After being viewed as a promising fast-bowling talent after his incendiary spells during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy when he took four scalps before an injury during the Gabba Test ended his tournament early Saini has played for India in 8 ODIs and 11 T20Is, taking a combined tally of 19 wickets. His national colours appearance last came in against Sri Lanka in July 2021.