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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.

Shaping adaptable anticounterfeiting global approach

Correspondent
May 31, 2025
3 min read

In Africa, a child dies from malaria every five minutes due to counterfeit antimalarial drugs. This stark reality became the driving force behind Ennoventure’s pursuit of a reliable anti-counterfeiting solution. Today, the company’s solution safeguards products from counterfeiting and empowers consumers by making product authentication accessible and transparent. In a conversation, Padmakumar Nair, Founder and CEO of Ennoventure Inc., talks about the company’s success in delivering a powerful, practical tool that enhances brand trust and ensures product integrity. Excerpts…

Q. What were the significant funding milestones in Ennoventure’s journey, and how did they influence the company’s growth?

Ennoventure Inc. has achieved several significant funding milestones since its inception in 2018, each contributing to its growth and global expansion in the fight against counterfeiting. Ennoventure secured $1 million in seed funding from angel investors, providing the initial capital to develop its patented invisible cryptographic signature technology aimed at authenticating product packaging without altering existing manufacturing processes. At present, we have presence in the USA, UAE, India, and beyond.


Q. How does Ennoventure’s technology work to prevent counterfeiting?

Ennoventure’s SaaS-based brand protection solution, is built to integrate seamlessly into existing packaging design, without requiring any process changes or added CAPEX. Brands simply upload their artwork onto our portal, download the encrypted version, and print it as usual. Once the product reaches the market, end consumers can verify its authenticity by scanning it via a microsite or a customizable dedicated app. At the heart of our technology is an invisible cryptographic code embedded into the packaging using AI and cryptography, making it impossible for counterfeiters to detect or replicate. Unlike visible tracking systems, Ennoventure’s technology operates silently and securely. Additionally, the platform serves an educational purpose, offering insights such as product composition, manufacturing date, and potential side effects.


Q. What industries does Ennoventure serve, and how does its business model operate?

Ennoventure serves a diverse range of industries where product authenticity is critical, including pharmaceuticals, FMCG, agrochemicals, automotive, and personal care. These sectors face significant challenges from counterfeiting and parallel trade, which can compromise consumer safety, brand integrity, and revenue. We operate primarily as a B2B company, collaborating with brand managers, product heads, and packaging leads who are focused on ensuring product authenticity and consumer trust.


Q. How has Ennoventure influenced its approach to global anti-counterfeiting solutions?

Ennoventure’s presence across the USA, India, and the GCC has played a pivotal role in shaping a truly global and adaptable approach to anti-counterfeiting. Each region brings unique challenges, ranging from regulatory demands and consumer behavior to the scale and sophistication of counterfeiting networks. Our exposure to these diverse markets has enabled us to build a solution that is scalable, and operationally seamless. Across these regions, our focus has been on innovation and scalable integration, aligning with global compliance standards and the expectations of mature markets. We’ve gained deep insights into large-scale manufacturing ecosystems and supply chain complexities, allowing us to engineer a solution that works without disrupting existing workflows, reinforcing our commitment to agile, mobile-first authentication.


Q. How does Ennoventure distinguish itself in the anti-counterfeiting industry?

Ennoventure sets itself apart in the anti-counterfeiting space through its non-intrusive, AI and cryptography-powered solution that embeds invisible cryptographic signatures directly onto product packaging, without requiring any changes to existing design, ink, or manufacturing processes. Unlike traditional methods such as QR codes, holograms, or stickers that are easily replicated or tampered with, our covert and non-reproducible technology ensures a much higher level of security. Our SaaS platform, enables brands to encrypt packaging artwork seamlessly, while our product authentication app allows real-time product verification using just a smartphone. To enhance the consumer journey further, we transform the moment of authentication into a brand engagement opportunity. With the ability to deploy in under 48 hours, no CAPEX requirements, Ennoventure delivers a cost-effective, scalable, and secure solution that protects products, educates consumers, and builds trust across the value chain.


Q. Which notable companies have partnered with Ennoventure to implement its anti-counterfeiting technology?

Ennoventure has partnered with major brands including Nestlé, Reckitt, DENSO and CNH to implement its advanced anti-counterfeiting technology. These collaborations span key sectors such as FMCG and automotive parts, where product authenticity is critical. By integrating Ennoventure’s invisible, non-reproducible cryptographic signatures, these companies are enhancing product security and ensuring customer trust.


Q. Which new markets is Ennoventure targeting for expansion?

Ennoventure is strategically expanding into several key international markets to address the growing demand for advanced anti-counterfeiting solutions. The company is focusing on expanding in the United States, in addition to strengthening its presence in Europe, and India.

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