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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.

‘Ten pc people have shifted to eco-friendly Ganesh idols’

Correspondent
Jul 30, 2025
3 min read

Mana Shah, a Mumbaikar, began her professional journey at the age of 16 working alongside her father in their family business. In 2006, she came across a documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, presented by former US Vice President Al Gore. The film opened her eyes to the pressing issue of climate change and highlighted just how little action people were taking. Shah changed her path from there. As a mother of two, she felt a strong urge to step up in the issue of climate change. This led her to develop ideas for ‘Green Practices’, a venture where she could channel her entrepreneurial acumen to promote a sustainable future for upcoming generations. Today, her company is also making big profit apart from working for the environment protection. In a conversation with ‘The Perfect Voice’, Shah shares her ideas behind eco-friendly Ganesh idols and the business around it. Excerpts…


Why did you choose to start making eco-friendly Ganpati idols? What inspired you?

When I started, nearly two lakh households in Mumbai were bringing home Ganesh idols made from PoP and painted with harmful, lead-based colours. Every year, during visarjan, we would see the devastating impact in the form of dead fish, polluted waters, and broken idols scattered across the shore. It was heartbreaking. I felt compelled to ask: if Ganpati is returning to his mother, why are we sending him back in a way that harms Mother Earth? We pray to him with so much devotion, but then let his remains pollute the very waters he came from. So I thought, why not offer a more respectful, meaningful way to bring Bappa home and send him off without causing damage? That’s how the idea of eco-friendly Ganpati idols was born. It was an attempt to make sustainability an integral part of how we celebrate without losing the essence of tradition.


How are your customers reacting to eco-friendly Ganesh idols?

People love them! In the beginning, there was hesitation. Many were concerned about the fragility of clay idols or whether they would break easily. There are strong beliefs tied to idol-breaking, so PoP seemed like the safer choice to them. But once they saw how beautiful, sturdy, and detailed the eco-friendly idols could be, and that they dissolve without harming the environment, they were convinced. And once they switch, they rarely go back. Some of our customers have been coming to us every single year for the last 10–12 years. They also love the fact that visarjan can be done at home in a clean, respectful way.


What is the demand like for eco-friendly Ganesh idols today?

The demand has grown significantly. When we started, we made just 50 idols. Today, we’re crossing the 3,000 mark. That tells you how much the mindset is changing. Ganeshotsav is an emotional, deeply personal festival, especially in Mumbai. More and more people are looking for ways to celebrate that are kinder to the planet. Once they discover that eco-friendly options don’t mean compromising on beauty or tradition, they’re eager to make the switch.

Do you have any idea of the current market size of eco-friendly Ganesh idols specifically in Mumbai?

Currently, around 2 lakh families in Mumbai bring Ganesh idols home each year. Of these, I’d say about 10 per cent have made the shift to eco-friendly idols. That’s a start, but we still have a long way to go. There’s a growing awareness, and we’re optimistic.


Where do you source your idols from? Do you make the idols yourself or collaborate with others?

Most of the idols are handcrafted in our own workshops. But we also work closely with artisans across Maharashtra, for example, those who specialise in paper mache Ganpati idols. Our goal is to offer a variety of eco-friendly options that suit different households and preferences. The paper mache idols are especially popular among families living abroad, as they’re lightweight, durable, and easy to ship. This way, even those far from home can celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with the same emotion and reverence.

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