Mumbai, June 24: India is a predominant force in international cricket. Despite drought of ICC World Cup titles since 2011 and missing out two consecutive World Test Championships (WTCs), performance across formats of Indian men's team in recent years has been praiseworthy. Women's cricket too is on the rise.
But to increase as well as maintain the talent pool and produce quality international players, domestic structure of the game has to be more organised. The domestic tournaments must meet the requirements of the international level competitions.
Realising that, the office-bearers of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) met the representative of the state associations at the BCCI Headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium here on Monday to discuss the new domestic structure planned for the 2024-25 season. The meeting also discussed the multiple indoor academies coming up in the North-Eastern states.
The meeting highlighted the commendable efforts of the state associations in executing the busiest cricket season of 2023-24, which featured the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024, along with various international bilateral series and a full domestic cricket season.
On the occasion, Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary of BCCI, extended his congratulations to the state associations for their exceptional work during this packed season.
Shah sought feedback on the new domestic structure planned for the 2024-25 season, which has been implemented on the recommendations of National Cricket Association (NCA) Head of Cricket, VVS Laxman, Team India (senior men) head coach Rahul Dravid, and Chairman of the Senior Selection Committee Ajit Agarkar, will be reviewed after one year.
Shah also updated the members on the development of the new Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru and the establishment of indoor academies in the North-Eastern states, Patna, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Jay Shah stated, “I am glad that we organised a meeting with the state associations. It is always good to exchange views on Indian cricket with our key stakeholders -– the member state associations. It was a constructive dialogue on issues that concern Indian cricket, and I am pleased with the contributions from the state associations.”
He further added, “The new NCA in Bengaluru and the multiple indoor academies in the North-Eastern states of the country are extremely close to our heart. We are extremely proud of the progress we have seen so far, and today we shared the same with our member associations.”
Cricket is gaining more popularity across the globe. Newer countries too are keen to compete with the Test playing nations. The USA, Afghanistan have beaten bigger teams in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. Afghanistan even entered the semifinals edging out Australia.
In such a situation, India need to produce more world-class players continuously. Only a better domestic structure can meet that need. Hopefully, BCCI's decisions will smoothen and fasten that procedure. (With IANS support)
