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As per a report, IPL has been blamed for a few India players’ underperforming in Test cricket recently.
Are lucrative IPL contracts to be blamed for India’s recent lackluster show in Test cricket? If a report is to be believed, then that is exactly the reason allegedly given by a member of the Indian team management during a recent BCCI review meeting.
The BCCI had called the meeting to discuss the reasons why the Indian team failed to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship after suffering a historic clean sweep at the hands of New Zealand at home before losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade.
According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the big fat IPL paychecks have been counted among the reasons for the below-par show of a few India players in Test cricket.
The meeting, held at a five-star facility in Mumbai, was attended by India Test captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief of selector Ajit Agarkar alongside BCCI president Roger Binny and board secretary Devajit Saikia.
“There was a detailed discussion on the Border Gavaskar Trophy performance and what all went wrong and the course correction required. But do not expect a hurried decision from the new dispensation of BCCI,” a source was quoted as sauing by news agency PTI.
The Indian players will reportedly not be allowed to pick and choose bilateral assignments and must furnish valid medical reasons should they skip any matches.
There are speculations over the potential participation of top India Test stars including Rohit, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal taking part in Ranji Trophy once the season resumes later this month.
The board has avoided any knee-jerk reaction given that a high-profile tournament like Champions Trophy is set to be held next month and it could have a negative impact on the team and the support staff.
The BCCI is expected to announce the squad for the Champions Trophy by the end of this week.