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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.

End of an Era

Correspondent
Dec 28, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Jan 2, 2025

Manmohan Singh

“Renowned economist Dr. Singh’s contributions to Bharat will always be remembered and cherished. We pray the almighty to grant 'sadgati' to the departed soul.”

Mohan Bhagwat, Chief, RSS


“His life will always serve as a lesson for the future generations on how someone can rise above deprivation and struggles to attain the heights of success. As PM, his contribution to the country's development and progress will always be remembered.”

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister


“He (Singh) knew me almost from the day I opened my eyes in this world. I had the privilege of serving as the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting in his government. A gentle soul, a great intellectual, a person with very firm convictions.”

Manish Tewari, Leader, Congress


“After he (Singh) became the Prime Minister, we shared a very close relationship. He was the one who brought me to politics along with Sonia Gandhi. It's very sad that he has left us.”

Shashi Tharoor, MP, Congress


“His contributions as the architect of India's economic reforms have left an indelible mark. RBI joins the nation in mourning this huge loss.”

Sanjay Malhotra, Governor, RBI


“Even when political opponents labelled him a ‘dummy’ or ‘shadow PM’, he remained focused on serving the country’s best interests. He neither acted against nor voiced opposition to his party’s leadership.”

T K A Nair, Former Principal Secretary to PM


“Dr. Singh was one of the greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership, and his work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades.”

Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, US


“I always found him a delight to work with and like a benevolent father figure. He was a good friend of the Maldives.”

Mohamed Nasheed, Former President, Maldives


“A visionary economist and the architect of India's economic liberalisation, his contributions shaped a new era for India.”

Mahinda Rajapaksa, Former President, Sri Lanka


“India has lost one of its most illustrious sons. Dr. Manmohan Singh was an unwavering ally and friend to the people of Afghanistan.”

Hamid Karzai, Former President, Afghanistan


“India has lost one of its tallest leaders and finest economists. His most defining contribution - the epochal 91 reforms spurred a multi-decadal economic boom and more importantly reshaped the calculus of possibilities for India and Indians.”

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group


“Dr. Singh will always be remembered for his visionary thinking and deep insights while always being humble and upholding his personal values. His inspiring leadership earned him respect across the world.”

N. Chandrasekaran, Chief, Tata Sons


“The passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh marks the end of an era in Indian polity. A man of quiet dignity, he reshaped the nation through his visionary economic and social policies.”

Kamal Haasan, Actor-Politician


“I fondly cherish my interactions with him and the inspiration and wisdom I got from him forever. It is a tremendous loss to our country. His wisdom, integrity and contributions to the nation’s growth will always be remembered.”

Chiranjeevi, Actor


“He was a man of unparalleled humility and wisdom. His extraordinary contributions will forever be remembered.

Anil Kapoor, Actor


“Having studied him for more than a year for the movie The Accidental Prime Minister, it felt that I actually spent that much time with him. He was inherently a good man. Personally, completely honest, great economist and a very humble person. Some can say may be not an astute politician!”

Anupam Kher, Actor


“Although there were doubts about how someone who was not a seasoned politician would lead the country, Singh, during his 10 years in power, proved himself to be one of the most experienced and respected leaders the world has ever seen.”

A K Antony, Leader, Congress


“I will always remember him as the only Prime Minister who made sincere efforts to uplift India's marginalised, including minorities and backward classes.”

Asaduddin Owaisi, President, AIMIM


“Never heard an offensive, unparliamentary word from him. Manmohan Singh will be remembered as 'Adhunik nirmata sudharak' (modern reformer who built up the economy).”

Ram Nath Kovind, Former President


“I have worked with many ministers, and while many of them, including Manmohan Singh, are true gentlemen, for Singh, his gentlemanly nature was not a weakness but a remarkable strength. Singh was never one to make grand promises.”

K M Chandrasekhar, Former Union Cabinet Secretary


“He was a great human being. Great financial reformer and statesman.”

Rajinikanth, Actor


“A politician who can take a joke is truly powerful, and a politician who can make a joke about themselves is admirable, and invincible. In that respect, he stood tall above any Indian leader in my lifespan.”

Vir Das, Comedian-actor


"Dr Manmohan Singh ji's demise is a profound loss for India. His contributions to our nation shall always be remembered.”

Sachin Tendulkar, Cricket Legend


“A rare leader who spoke softly but achieved monumental strides through his actions, Dr Singh's life remains a masterclass in leadership, humility and service to the nation and will inspire generations to come.”

Gautam Adani, Chairman Adani Group


“He was against corruption and took immediate decisions concerning the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act. He always thought about the country and how best he could work for its people.”

Anna Hazare, Anti-corruption Activist


“Farewell Dr. Manmohan Singh. You loved this nation. And your service to it will long be remembered.”

Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group


“He was an erudite economist and a man of high integrity. A PM to whom we owe our economic turnaround.”

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon

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