Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has stirred up a controversy by suggesting that India’s premier domestic tournament, Ranji Trophy, should be scrapped off from the calendar.
Tiwary, who recently hanged his boot after a two-decade long domestic career, said that the Ranji Trophy has lost its charm due to the emergence of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“The significance and charm of Ranji Trophy has diminished because the IPL auction happens before the tournament starts. Once a player gets an IPL contract, they don’t have the drive to play Ranji Trophy”, Manoj Tiwary said in an interview to Indian Express.
Tiwary also claimed that players fear getting injured during the Ranji Trophy, which could jeopardize their IPL prospects. Tiwari said that the IPL auction should happen after the Ranji Trophy, so that players can perform with more seriousness and determination.
“There is also the fear that if an injury is sustained during a Ranji Trophy game, it could affect the IPL contract. There is a lot of money involved in the IPL. I think domestic cricket needs ‘servicing’ now”, the former Bengal skipper further added.
The Bengal domestic legend also criticised the players who have IPL contracts for not taking the Ranji Trophy seriously enough.
“When we started playing domestic cricket, we were told to play with seriousness, be determined, play for the team and aim to be a match-winner. I don’t see that grit and hunger in domestic cricket anymore”, Tiwary said.
The former Indian cricketer further added that the Ranji Trophy is the tournament that can produce cricketers who are ready for Test cricket, while the IPL can only teach them about ‘intent’.
“Players picked for IPL, they come and play only one way. I’m not saying it’s bad but it’s similar style. Ranji Trophy is the tournament, which can produce cricketers who are ready for Test cricket. IPL can teach a player about ‘intent’ but carelessness also creeps in as players are trying to score off everyball. In Ranji Trophy you have to grind out your runs”, Manoj Tiwary claimed.
