Suresh Raina calls for permitting non-contracted players to play in overseas leagues

Suresh Raina calls for permitting non-contracted players: The senior Indian batsman has put forward a reasonable suggestion.

Indian cricketers usually have to let go off numerous opportunities of playing in overseas T20 leagues due to BCCI’s firm stand on not allowing their players to play outside the country.

Most recently, all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and fast bowler Manpreet Gony represented Toronto Nationals in the second season of the Global T20 Canada but both did the same post announcing international retirement.

Yuvraj, who announced international retirement in June 2019, went on to represent Maratha Arabians in the Abu Dhabi T10 League as well. It was reported that Yuvraj would be joined by Ambati Rayudu and Irfan Pathan during the T10 League but that didn’t happen.

It was last year only that veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh had expressed interest in playing in The Hundred but had to withdraw his name to continue represent Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

Suresh Raina calls for permitting non-contracted players to play in overseas leagues

Senior India batsman Suresh Raina, who had recently received support from CSK teammate Ambati Rayudu regarding international comeback, has put forward a reasonable suggestion with respect to allowing players to play in overseas leagues.

Raina, whose last competitive tournament was IPL 2019, was speaking during an Instagram LIVE session with Irfan Pathan. The 33-year old player called for how the BCCI can permit non-contracted players to play two leagues per year.

“I hope the BCCI can get together with the ICC or with franchises and allow players who don’t have BCCI contracts to play in overseas leagues. I feel there are a lot of players, including Yusuf [Pathan], myself, Robin Uthappa – a lot of quality players who can go overseas and learn a lot, no matter which league it is. Allow us to play in two [overseas] leagues,” Raina was quoted as saying on Instagram.

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Further laying emphasis on his point, the southpaw opined on the domestic cricket lacking quality and how playing various league will give the axed players something to learn in addition to a chance to stage an international comeback.

“We aren’t in the BCCI contracts list, some of us don’t have IPL contracts, we aren’t playing international cricket, and the competition in domestic cricket isn’t what it is at the international level. If we can get three months of quality cricket, whether it’s the CPL or the Big Bash [League] or any league, it can help us stay ready.

“Players from other countries are able to play in these leagues, and a lot of them have made international comebacks after doing well in them. We play the IPL, but if these people [the BCCI selectors] have a pool of 40-50 players, they think those outside it aren’t good enough or are past it, and neglect them. We don’t have a Plan B. If we go overseas and perform, our cricket will improve and we’ll get to learn a lot,” Raina added.