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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 7:24:18 pm

Domestic Cricket: The Road to Team India

India needs a clear selection policy that establishes consistent standards for newcomers and established stars alike. Indian cricket’s domestic circuit has often been described as the foundation on which the national team is built. Yet, there is a need to reinforce a fundamental principle: a place in Team India must be earned through performance, not protected by reputation. Domestic cricket must remain the most credible proving ground for aspiring players, established stars, dropped...

Domestic Cricket: The Road to Team India

India needs a clear selection policy that establishes consistent standards for newcomers and established stars alike. Indian cricket’s domestic circuit has often been described as the foundation on which the national team is built. Yet, there is a need to reinforce a fundamental principle: a place in Team India must be earned through performance, not protected by reputation. Domestic cricket must remain the most credible proving ground for aspiring players, established stars, dropped cricketers and those returning after a break. For an aspiring cricketer, scoring runs in the Ranji Trophy or taking wickets in the Duleep Trophy should carry considerable weight in the selection process. Talent may open the door, but sustained performance in competitive conditions should determine whether a player deserves to walk through it. Reputation and potential cannot become permanent substitutes for runs, wickets and match-winning contributions. The same principle must apply to established international players. India needs a transparent selection policy that clearly establishes when a player is expected to return to domestic cricket, what performance benchmarks will be considered and under what circumstances an exemption may be granted. Without such consistency, selection risks appearing subjective. Different standards could be applied to established stars and those waiting for their first international opportunity. When a Test cricketer is dropped for poor form, returning to domestic cricket should be the natural next step. A few net sessions cannot replicate the pressure of a four-day or five-day contest. A batter needs to spend hours at the crease and negotiate different bowling spells. The player must also convert starts into substantial scores. A bowler needs to demonstrate rhythm, control and stamina, as well as the ability to sustain pressure across long spells. Domestic cricket provides evidence of improvement rather than merely an assurance that a player has been working on his game. Selection should therefore be linked to demonstrated form and readiness, rather than an automatic recall based on past achievements. There is an equally strong case for regular Test players to represent their state teams whenever the international calendar permits. Those who are rested or have a break between two Test series should consider domestic matches an opportunity, not an inconvenience. Red-ball cricket demands a temperament different from that required in shorter formats. The ability to leave deliveries, bat through difficult sessions and negotiate reverse swing cannot be developed entirely in the nets. Players must also learn to maintain concentration over several hours. The selection policy must distinguish between a player who is rested for workload management and one who is dropped for poor performance. A rested player should follow an appropriate preparation and match-readiness plan, while a dropped player should have a clear route back through competitive cricket. Injury-related exemptions must be based on medical advice. International commitments should also be accommodated through sensible scheduling. Most importantly, exemptions should not become privileges reserved for marquee players. If a young cricketer must score consistently in domestic cricket to earn a place, an established international should not be assured selection merely because he has delivered in the past. Seniority deserves respect, but it cannot guarantee a place in the playing XI. The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the selectors should establish clear expectations for participation in domestic red-ball competitions. Workload management, injury rehabilitation and national duty should be recognised as legitimate grounds for exemption. Such a policy would improve accountability, strengthen the Ranji Trophy and give selectors a more reliable basis for assessing form. Domestic cricket also benefits from the participation of international players. It allows younger cricketers to test themselves against experienced opponents and learn the demands of elite competition. Ultimately, domestic cricket should be neither a punishment for failure nor a ceremonial obligation. It must be an integral part of a cricketer’s professional life. Team India selection must be a merit-based process, not a privilege earned through reputation. For newcomers, domestic cricket is the route to recognition; for dropped players, it is the path to redemption; and for established stars, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that they remain worthy of the national colours.

3D (Dreams, Dystopia, Destiny)

Writer: Shiv Sethi
Shiv Sethi
Jan 17
3 min read

Anandajit Goswami stands among the most compelling contemporary voices in Indian literature today. Known for his genre-defying imagination and intellectual depth, Goswami has carved a distinct niche in science fiction, sustainability literature, and speculative narratives for both young readers and adults. His critically acclaimed Lucy series has been recognised by Indian Literary Review as one of the most original contributions to children’s science fiction.


Goswami’s works have been widely covered by leading media houses, earning him multiple Best Fiction Author awards. His scholarship and sustained engagement with ecological consciousness have also led to his recognition by prestigious platforms such as the Manorama Lit Fest and Green Lit Fest. In a recent in-depth conversation with Shiv Sethi, the author spoke about his evolving creative universe. Excerpts…


Literature seems to occupy a deeply personal space in your life. How do you define literature?

Literature, for me, is not a static product but an ongoing process of observing, shaping, and reshaping the reality that surrounds us. While engaging with reality, the human heart simultaneously dreams of alternative worlds. Literature is born from this tension between what exists and what could exist. It becomes a bridge between the real and the imagined, the present and the futuristic, the known and the unknown. Through literature, multiple worlds intersect, converse, and sometimes collide, enabling us to reimagine humanity and our collective future.


Your body of work spans multiple genres. Could you tell us about your books and recurring themes?

My writing moves across diverse genres and emotional landscapes—science fiction, dystopia, sustainability, climate fiction, court drama, violence, culture, identity, and crime thrillers. Rather than writing isolated narratives, I create what I call a “matrix of narratives.” Within this matrix, characters such as Lucy, Hema, Madhyam, Shopno, Siddharth, Esha, Rasul, Jacob, and Dr. Ghosh are born and reborn across texts.


The Lucy Series, comprising three English and two Bengali books—from Lucy and the Train to Lucy and the Rise of Parabola—explores dystopian realities shaped by environmental collapse, survival instincts, and socio-political violence. These characters inhabit fragile worlds such as Pink Gender Extended, where fate, chance, magic, and catastrophe intersect. As the narratives progress, the characters evolve from beings driven by survival into seekers of meaning and self-realisation, particularly in The Rise of the Club of Central Tendency and Siddharth – The Soul Seeker. Future works will further expand this matrix, offering new perspectives on interconnected realities.


Your latest book Siddharth – The Soul Seeker is receiving wide acclaim. What is the essence of this book?

Siddharth – The Soul Seeker is fundamentally a journey—across time, space, and consciousness. It traces the life of an individual navigating a rapidly transforming society while negotiating the complexities of his inner psycho-social world. The narrative unfolds through episodic drama, interwoven with moments of introspection and lived experience.


The protagonist’s journey is marked by love and loss, violence and compassion, hatred and healing. Through these experiences, Siddharth seeks an identity that transcends social labels and historical constraints. What begins as an ordinary life gradually transforms into something extraordinary, as the individual rises to stand for humanity itself. Ultimately, the book suggests that personal salvation is inseparable from historical memory and collective revival.


Many authors explore similar themes. How do your books differ?

My books are not limited to plots, characters, or themes—they move beyond conventional narrative structures. In many ways, they function as a mirror and a catharsis for the reader. Each narrative invites multiple interpretations, encouraging readers to explore their own inner selves.


Rather than offering definitive answers, my books open philosophical pathways. They allow readers to confront different versions of reality, truth, and possibility. Characters and chapters do not merely tell a story; they reveal layered truths—some comforting, others unsettling—gently yet persistently pushing readers to engage with life’s ambiguities.


You are also an accomplished musician. How does music influence your creative life?

Music has been an inseparable part of my life since the age of four. Melodies, notes, and sounds come to me instinctively and help me understand aspects of myself that words alone cannot express. My nearly forty musical compositions, available across various streaming platforms, influence the rhythm, emotional tone, and flow of my writing. For me, literature and music are not separate arts; they are parallel expressions of the same inner search.

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