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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.

Road Accidents: The Silent Epidemic and the Science of Investigation

By Keshav Kumar and Hemanth Reddy
Jun 27
3 min read

Road accidents in India are increasingly emerging as a silent national crisis, demanding far greater attention than they currently receive. As per data published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the country records over 4.7 lakh road accidents annually. These accidents lead to approximately 1.75 to 1.80 lakh deaths every year, translating into an alarming average of nearly 500 fatalities every single day.


Even more troubling is the age profile of victims. Nearly two-thirds belong to the 18–34 age group, effectively striking at the country’s most productive demographic. Over speeding continues to be the single largest contributor, accounting for over 60 per cent of total fatalities. This indicates that a combination of behavioural negligence and weak enforcement is driving this crisis.


Despite such staggering numbers, road accident investigation in India remains largely rudimentary. Investigations often rely on eyewitness accounts, FIR (First Information Report) narratives, and basic mechanical inspection of vehicles rather than adopting a scientific and evidence-based approach.


Inadequate investigation frequently leads to incorrect attribution of fault. It also weakens prosecution in criminal trials and creates inconsistencies in insurance and compensation claims. The judiciary has also underscored this concern in cases such as State of Karnataka v. Satish, where it was clearly observed that mere high speed cannot be equated with rash or negligent driving unless supported by cogent evidence, thereby reinforcing the need for scientific investigation rather than presumptive conclusions.


Globally, accident investigation is being treated as a specialised forensic discipline, employing a range of advanced techniques to reconstruct events with precision. Skid mark analysis is being used to estimate speed and braking behaviour, while vehicle damage or dent analysis is helping determine the angle and force of impact. Paint transfer and trace evidence examination are proving critical in hit-and-run cases by linking vehicles to the scene.


Modern tools such as total station surveys and 3D laser mapping are enabling accurate reconstruction of accident sites. Event Data Recorders, often referred to as vehicle “black boxes", are capturing crucial pre-collision data such as speed, braking, and throttle position. In addition, CCTV footage and digital forensics are increasingly being integrated into investigations, particularly in urban areas. Biomechanical analysis is also assisting in understanding injury patterns to establish the sequence of impact.


Although India has initiated steps such as the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD), its implementation is still uneven, and the full potential of scientific investigation remains underutilised.


The importance of robust accident investigation is clearly reflected in several landmark cases in India. The BMW Hit-and-Run Case, registered in New Delhi in 1999, remains one of the most prominent examples where scientific and forensic evidence played a decisive role. In this case, a high-end BMW car ran over multiple pedestrians, resulting in fatalities. The subsequent investigation relied heavily on vehicle damage analysis, forensic linkage, and circumstantial reconstruction to establish guilt, ultimately leading to a conviction.


Another significant case is the Alister Anthony Pareira v. State of Maharashtra, arising out of a fatal accident in Mumbai, where multiple pavement dwellers were killed. The Supreme Court, while enhancing the sentence, emphasised the gravity of reckless driving and the necessity of treating such offences with seriousness, reflecting a growing judicial recognition of road safety concerns.


However, despite the availability of scientific techniques, their adoption in India remains constrained by institutional and operational limitations.


As road accidents continue to claim nearly 1.8 lakh lives annually, the urgency of strengthening scientific investigation cannot be overstated. Proper accident investigation is not merely about determining liability; it is about uncovering the truth, ensuring justice, and, most importantly, preventing future tragedies.


(Kumar is a retired IPS officer and forensic advisor to the Assam government. Reddy is a student of National Forensic University, Guwahati.)

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