Yesterday in Rajkot, there was the inauguration of the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The stadium in Rajkot was earlier the SCSA Stadium and it was renamed after the man who has turned Saurashtra Cricket around. All the BCCI officials were there and the Indian cricket team was there as well. It was a glittering function but it was the BCCI Secretary Jay Shah who made all the headlines as he made a number of important statements regarding Indian cricket.
Let’s talk about the different statements that the BCCI Secretary made regarding various issues concerning Indian cricket
T20I World Cup 2024
The 2024 T20I World Cup is just a few months away and there have been questions regarding who will be the captain of the Indian team for the T20I World Cup which will be held from the 1st of June 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. Jay Shah who gave a speech said that he is confident that India will win the T20I World Cup in Barbados and hoist the tricolor under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. This statement was official confirmation of the fact that it will be Rohit Sharma who will be the captain of the Indian team for the World Cup. The reaction from Rohit Sharma was that of happiness. He also said to reporters after the event that Hardik Pandya will be the vice captain and Rahul Dravid will be the coach.
Virat Kohli
Regarding Virat Kohli, Jay Shah said that a decision will be taken at the appropriate time and whether he will be a part of the T20I World Cup team or not. Jay Shah also said that Virat Kohli has taken personal leave for the first time in 15 years so it must be a serious matter and that all the fans and media should be supportive of the greatest player for India. He wished Virat Kohli all the best and hoped to see him back playing for India soon.
Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy has suddenly picked up momentum in the last few days and it was because there were reports that the BCCI has told the Indian players that they will have to play domestic cricket. Yesterday while talking to reporters The BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that he has talked to the players on the phone and he will also send a written communication to all the contracted players that whenever the chief selector Ajit Agarkar, captain Rohit Sharma and the coach Rahul Dravid want a player to play red Ball cricket they will have to play for their state team. He said that this is a serious matter and he said “Nakhre Nahi Chalenge “ which means no tantrums will be tolerated.
IPL Franchises and The BCCI
The BCCI Secretary was firm while talking about this subject as he said that the IPL Franchises had to listen to the BCCI because they are the supreme body and the franchises would have to listen to them and allow the players to play domestic cricket if needed. Indian cricket is paramount and the players need to be prepared to play red Ball cricket.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Jay Shah also talked about the ICC Champions Trophy which will be held in the year 2025 in Pakistan. The reporters asked him whether the event will be held in Pakistan and whether India will play in that event. The BCCI Secretary said that whether the event will be held in Pakistan or not will be decided by the ICC. And as to whether India will take part in that event he said that they will go by the recommendations by the Indian government but there is one year and anything can change. The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan in February 2025.
Important Points Made by the BCCI Secretary Jay Shah
Rohit Sharma will be the captain of the Indian Team for the T20I World Cup 2024.
Hardik Pandya will be the vice captain and Rahul Dravid will be the head coach.
A call on the selection of Virat Kohli for the T20I World Cup will be taken at an appropriate time.
All the centrally contracted players will have to play in the Ranji trophy if asked by the captain, coach and Chief selector of the Indian team
The IPL Franchises will have to listen to the BCCI as the BCCI is the supreme body in Indian cricket and Indian cricket is paramount
The decision to hold the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan will be taken by the ICC and the Indian government will give the recommendations for the Indian team for the tournament.
