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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.

Commodity Markets: Driving Forces Behind Global Economic Trends

Writer: Dipti Sawant
Dipti Sawant
Feb 25
3 min read

The commodity market is a platform where raw materials and primary products are bought, sold, and traded. These products range from agricultural goods such as wheat and rice to energy resources like crude oil and natural gas, as well as metals including gold, silver, copper and aluminium. Commodity markets play a crucial role in the global economy because they influence prices, trade flows, and overall economic stability.


Globally, commodity trading takes place through organised exchanges such as the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), and the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). In India, major platforms include the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) and the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX). These exchanges provide transparent and regulated platforms for hedging, price discovery, speculation, and balancing global demand and supply.


Participants in the Commodity Market There are four main participants in commodity markets Producers (farmers, miners, and oil companies who produce commodities), Consumers (industries and businesses that use commodities as inputs), Traders and investors (participants who trade for profit or risk management) & Governments and regulators (who monitor markets and ensure stability). Commodity trading happens mainly in two ways first Spot Market buying and selling commodities for immediate delivery and second through Futures Market contracts where buyers and sellers agree today to trade a commodity at a fixed price on a future date. Futures contracts help companies manage risk and protect themselves from price fluctuations, especially in volatile markets.


Global commodity prices are primarily driven by demand and supply. However, several external factors also influence them Geopolitical events like wars and conflicts, such as the Russia–Ukraine war, which significantly impacted oil and wheat prices. Weather conditions like floods, droughts, or climate change affecting crop output (for example, floods in Pakistan impacting agricultural supply). Economic growth a strong growth in countries like China increases demand for metals and energy. US Dollar strength most commodities are priced in USD. When the dollar strengthens, commodities become more expensive for other countries, reducing demand.


Importance

Commodity markets are important because they:

• Help control and transmit inflation.

• Impact currency values and trade balances.

• Influence stock markets and corporate profits.

• Determine the cost of living by affecting food and energy prices.


Impact of FY 2026–27 Budget

In the Union Budget for FY 2026–27, the Indian government emphasized manufacturing and infrastructure. A public capital expenditure of Rs 12.2 lakh crore was announced, with strong support for sectors such as biopharma, semiconductors, electronics, rare earths, chemicals, textiles, and capital goods. MSMEs received focused support through a Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, equity assistance, and liquidity support via platforms like TReDS.


These measures are expected to create a positive impact on commodity markets through:

• Increased demand for raw materials.

• Higher trading volumes and liquidity.

• Better price realization for producers.

• Growth in industrial and metal commodities.

• Reduced import dependence in the long term.

• Strengthened domestic supply chains.


The budget also focused on agriculture and rural incomes by promoting high-value crops, fisheries, AI-enabled agricultural platforms, and expanding irrigation and reservoir infrastructure under the Bharat Vistar initiative. This is likely to boost agricultural commodity output and stability.


Trade Developments

International trade policies also strongly influence commodity markets. Recent discussions between India and the United States, involving reduced reciprocal tariffs and increased trade in energy, technology, and agricultural products, have created positive market sentiment. Additionally, talks aimed at ending the Russia–Ukraine war have raised hopes for stability in global energy and food supplies.


Market Reactions

Commodity markets are deeply interconnected with global economic, political, and financial systems. While domestic policies like India’s FY 2026–27 Budget provide strong support for industrial growth and agricultural development, global macroeconomic shifts, geopolitical tensions, and currency movements continue to play a dominant role. Overall, a stable and well-regulated commodity market ensures balanced growth, price stability, and sustainable economic development across nations.

(The writer is a Mumbai based finance expert. Views personal.)

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