Should Indian players be allowed to play in foreign leagues to get used to conditions in different countries? The million-dollar question has drawn different reactions from Indian legends Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid. India head coach Dravid was asked about Indian players’ participation in foreign leagues.
The ICC Hall of Famer batted strongly against the idea of allowing the Indians in other T20 leagues and said that he doesn’t want Indian cricket to go the “West Indies way.” “A lot of boys are asked to play leagues in the middle of our season, we have seen what it has done to West Indian cricket, and I definitely don’t want Indian cricket to go that way. It would affect Ranji Trophy and Test cricket and Indian boys playing Test cricket is pretty important for the Test game as well, I would think,” Dravid said after the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final.
While Dravid strongly opposed the idea, former head coach Kumble has thrown his weight behind it. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Kumble said that “exposure helps” and that youngsters should be allowed to have a crack in overseas conditions.
“I think exposure certainly helps. We have seen that with the kind of development that it has had on Indian cricket. For example, the IPL, where overseas players come in and the kind of changes we’ve had in Indian cricket has certainly helped. In terms of giving an opportunity to a young player to go overseas and have a crack, then why not?” Kumble told ESPNcricinfo. “I think it’s important that you need to have everything that you need to do that come 2024, you are well prepared to take on a World Cup event.”
As per the BCCI’s rules, Indian players can participate in County Cricket and Royal London One-Day Cup in England. But they are not allowed to play any T20 league (apart from IPL) or The Hundred. Those who wish to play in foreign leagues have to retire from Indian cricket and IPL.
Recently, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal had also batted against allowing the Indian players in foreign leagues and it’s all but confirmed that the Indians won’t feature in any overseas T20 tournament.
