Suresh Raina wants BCCI to allow 'non-contracted' Indian players to play in foreign leagues
New Delhi/UNI: India cricketer Suresh Raina has said that BCCI should allow Indian players who are without a central contract to participate in foreign T20 leagues.
Citing the example of England, Australia cricketers, Raina shared his wish during a live Instagram chat session with Irfan Pathan on Saturday.
According to the current BCCI rules, an Indian player cannot take part in any foreign leagues till the time he hasn’t announced his formal retirement from all forms of cricket, including IPL.
Raina felt that participation in foreign leagues would allow the players to stay fit and hone their skills further.
"I wish BCCI plans something with ICC or the franchises... whichever player is not with a BCCI contract should be allowed to play in foreign T20 leagues. Because I feel there a lot of players like that - including Yusuf Pathan, myself, Robin Uthappa... There are many quality players who can go abroad and learn a lot of things, whichever league that is in, ' Cricbuzz quoted Raina as saying.
'Allow us to play in two leagues, where we go, play and the BCCI themselves say 'you go play there', " he added.
The CSK all-rounder reiterated the importance of such an option for players without national contracts, as playing only in the IPL would leave them without a 'plan B', should their franchises suddenly deem them surplus to requirements.
"If we play competitive cricket in three months, whether that's Big Bash League or CPL... anything that makes us feel we're ready. If you see overseas players all play, and then they make comebacks for their country,' he said.
'We play IPL, and there's a big pool of players so if they [franchises] feel we're not good, then there's no plan B for us. If we go abroad, perform there and stay fit and play well, then our cricket will also improve and we'll get to learn a lot," he added.
Irfan also echoed Raina's thoughts, and felt that if the BCCI are not considering players of 30 years and above for a spot in the Indian team, then they should be allowed to freelance in the T20 circuit.
"My suggestion is that all the players who are 30-years-old and not in the radar to play international cricket, BCCI should allow them to play in foreign leagues," Pathan said.
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