Ranji Trophy Losing Value Due to Overlapping Tournaments, Says Gavaskar

Legendary India batsman Sunil Gavaskar said that the prestigious Ranji Trophy is being "greatly devalued" because of the nature in which players are being pulled out of their state teams to play in other tournaments.

This season's Ranji Trophy began at the start of this month but from the second round onwards, it has seen a lot of players miss out on playing in the tournament. In fact, apart from the ongoing Tests against New Zealand, an India 'A' side under Tilak Varma is currently playing in the ACC Emerging Men's T20 Asia Cup in Oman.

The 'A' team will go off to play a two-match red-ball series against Australia 'A' in Mackay and Melbourne. Meanwhile, the Suryakumar Yadavled T20I team will travel to South Africa for a four-match series. Comparatively, many regular Australia players such as Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc are playing their skills in the domestic red-ball Sheffield Shield competition.

"Even as India plays the current series against New Zealand, some of our players are competing in the Emerging Players Asia Cup. The Ranji Trophy season has begun, and if players are being taken away to play in events like this, then the national tournament is being greatly devalued.".

"Next month, there's a futile four-match T20 series in South Africa ahead of the tour to Australia. There will also be an 'A' team touring Australia next month so effectively about 50 to 60 players will not be available for their State teams in the premier national tournament, the Ranji Trophy," wrote Gavaskar in his column for Sportstar on Monday.

He also said that since the IPL came, the Ranji Trophy is not treated with respect. "No other major country treats its national tournament as cavalierly as India does. Have you ever seen England or Australia hold 'A' tours or participate in meaningless events during their domestic seasons?

"Next month, there's a pointless four-match T20 series in South Africa before the tour to Australia. There will also be an 'A' team touring Australia next month, so effectively about 50 to 60 players will not be available for their State teams in the premier national tournament, the Ranji Trophy," wrote Gavaskar in his column for Sportstar on Monday.