‘One IPL season is better than years of cricket elsewhere’

Kolkata, May 25

The BCCI secretary, Anurag Thakur, on Monday extolled the virtues of the IPL and the T20 format. In an encouraging sign to the top performers of the IPL, he made it known that the players doing well here have a good chance of getting the national selectors’ nod for Team India.

“A young cricketer learns much more in two months of the league than they would learn in 5-10 years. It's an opportunity for (young) players to share the dressing room with legendary players. In these two months, what they learn is much more compared to what they get to learn in 5-10 years,” Thakur stated.

To strengthen his point, Thakur cited the example of the RCB's Mandeep Singh and AB de Villiers. “Mandeep and AB were batting together; you can evaluate your player. Mandeep was looking more aggressive and better while facing the same bowlers in similar conditions. You can make similar comparisons, so it's easier for selectors to pick players from the IPL.”

The BCCI secretary is perfectly okay with the temporary banishment of Test specialists such as Cheteshwar Pujara to the isolation of counties in England when the galaxy of international stars are shining in India.

“We’ve players like Cheteshwar Pujara who does not play for any franchisee. There will be a few players like him, who can be an asset to the Test team. They should go and play county where they can get good exposure. They should not miss out on cricket. Next year we're going to play 12 Tests.” Pujara played for Yorkshire in English County's Division-I this year.

Thakur also intimated that the BCCI has chalked out a domestic calender laying more stress on T20 Internationals as World T20 is due in March.

Team India coach to be announced by June 6

The national team's support staff including name of the Team Director, will be announced by June 6, a day before team leaves for tour of Bangladesh.

“Team India will arrive here on June 5. There will be a fitness test on the next day and team will leave for Bangladesh on June 7. The names of Team Director and support staff will be announced before that,” Thakur said.

The Indian cricket board has yet not taken final decision on whether to scrap Champions League Twenty20. It would take a call after more contemplation, an official said. — Agencies