MSK Prasad Defends Current Players Amid Criticism Over Domestic Cricket Absence

06 NOV

The Criticism

India’s recent 3-0 Test series loss at home to New Zealand has drawn sharp criticism, with many blaming the absence of top players from domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy for their dip in form. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar emphasized the importance of domestic cricket, stating that Kohli and Sharma could have benefited from participating in the Duleep Trophy earlier in the season.

Manjrekar took to X (formerly Twitter) to stress the need for players to stay match-fit through competitive cricket, especially in domestic formats.

MSK Prasad’s Defense

Prasad, however, dismissed comparisons between the current era and the days of legends like Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, citing the sheer volume of cricket played today. "It is unlike Kapil paaji and Sunny sir's days. The volume of cricket has increased exponentially, and it takes a lot out of cricketers," Prasad explained in an interview with PTI.

He suggested that mandatory participation in the Irani Cup could help bridge the gap but emphasized the need to schedule it during non-conflicting periods. "The BCCI can mandate star players to play for the Rest of India team in the Irani Cup, but it must be timed outside overlapping Test series."

Prasad also questioned the discontinuation of the rotation system for player rest, which was implemented during his tenure. "Resting players unnecessarily, especially against weaker teams like Bangladesh, wasn’t required," he added.

Gavaskar’s Perspective

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar shared a different viewpoint, advocating for more practice matches before major tours. He expressed disappointment at the lack of warm-up games before India's overseas assignments, especially in Australia.

"Even now, though it’s late, arranging practice matches against State A teams like Queensland A or Victoria A can give youngsters and first-timers better preparation and chances to succeed," Gavaskar suggested.

The Way Forward

The debate highlights the need for balancing player workload while ensuring they remain connected to domestic cricket, which has long been the backbone of India's talent pipeline. Whether through mandatory participation in key tournaments or better scheduling of practice games, the solution lies in addressing the modern demands of the game without compromising on match readiness.

The loss to New Zealand has served as a wake-up call, emphasizing the importance of preparation and the role of domestic cricket in maintaining form and resilience.