Veteran batsman Suresh Raina and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan have urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow Indian cricketers play in foreign T20 leagues. Notably, as per the norms of the apex body, active players are not allowed to play in foreign leagues without BCCI’s permission.
Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Raina and Pathan were participating in an Instagram Live session. It was during the session that they said that the BCCI should allow cricketers to play in foreign domestic leagues. Suresh Raina mentioned players like Robin Uthappa, who is currently not in the reckoning of the Indian side for a long time and that BCCI should allow them to play in different leagues.
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Meanwhile, going by BCCI regulations, a player has to announce his retirement from all forms of cricket, including IPL to be eligible to participate in foreign leagues.
“I wish BCCI plans something with ICC or the franchises that Indian players get to play foreign leagues. At least allow us to play in two different foreign leagues. If we play quality cricket in terms of foreign leagues, then it would be good for us. All international players make a comeback by playing in all those leagues,” Raina told Pathan during the session.
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Irfan Pathan also spoke on the same lines and said that BCCI should allow the players to feature in T20 leagues who are not in the radar to play international matches and are at least 30 years old. Notably, cricketers are required to take No Objection Certificate from BCCI to play in County cricket.
“There is a different mindset in different countries. Michael Hussey made his debut at the age of 29 for Australia, an Indian player can never make his debut at the age of 30. I think as long as you are fit, you should be available to play for your country.
I would suggest that all those players who are 30 years old and they are not on your radar to play international matches, you should allow them to play in foreign leagues,” Pathan told Raina.