Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly stirred the ongoing debate surrounding Indian Premier League (IPL) careers juxtaposed with participation in first-class cricket, emphasizing that players can effectively balance both formats. Ganguly’s remarks come amidst the controversy surrounding BCCI’s decision not to offer central contracts to Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan due to their non-participation in domestic cricket.
In an interview with Times of India, Ganguly highlighted the examples of prominent players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Australia’s David Warner, who have successfully navigated both red-ball and white-ball cricket. Drawing from his own experiences alongside cricket legends Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly emphasized the feasibility of playing both formats without conflict.
Ganguly stated, “They can play both red-ball and white-ball. IPL career can happen along with stint in first-class cricket. They don’t clash. First-class cricket finishes and then there’s almost a month before the IPL starts. I don’t see any problem.”
Responding to queries about guiding the younger generation of players, Ganguly stressed the importance of personalized mentorship and communication. He suggested that officials such as BCCI secretary Jay Shah, president Roger Binny, and selectors should engage directly with players like Ishan Kishan to understand their perspectives and aspirations.
Ganguly further highlighted the significance of domestic cricket in nurturing talent, citing examples of players selected for Delhi Capitals who have actively participated in tournaments like Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Ranji Trophy. He underscored the success stories of players like Ishant Sharma and Khaleel Ahmed, who have thrived after engaging in domestic cricket.
While acknowledging a few exceptions, Ganguly emphasized the need for proactive engagement and support systems to guide young players effectively in their cricketing journey.
