IPL vs Ranji: Which tournament makes better Indian Test cricket players?

Test cricket has long been hailed as the purest format of the game. It is one such form of cricket which demands far more than just flair. Players' technique, mental endurance, and adaptability is tested over a span of four-five days.  

First-Class cricket comes as a sharp contrast to the frenzied tempo of 20-over cricket. There is no doubt about the importance of the Ranji Trophy and the IPL when it comes to playing a crucial role in the overall ecosystem of Indian cricket.

IPL vs Ranji: Which tournament makes better Test cricketers?

Unlike white-ball cricket, Test cricket is about grinding it out session by session - be it for batters or bowlers. As for batters, this comprises leaving deliveries outside off-stump, batting against time, and managing reverse-swing as the ball and pitch wears away. When it comes to bowlers, it means tiring batters down, maintaining relentless line & length, and having the stamina for toiling for a good 20-25 overs in a day on an average. 

India started on their journey of becoming a dominant entity in Test cricket since the 2000s. This could be associated to many of the players grinding it through the domestic circuit. Players like Wasim Jaffer, who ended up with 19,410 runs to his name in First-Class cricket, got to represent the nation in the longest format after years of consistency.

One of the icons of the red-ball game, Rahul Dravid, had scored heavily for Karnataka before establishing himself as a cornerstone in the Indian batting line-up. There were others like VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, and Zaheer Khan who spent a good chunk of time upskilling themselves in the Ranji Trophy before getting their respective national call-ups.

There was a transformative wave which hit the shores of Indian cricket with the arrival of the IPL in 2008. There was a prevailing perception which was formed that cricketers would start gravitating towards the shorter format due to the lure of financial gains, hence diluting the pool of proper Test cricketers. However, there was no shortage of quality Test cricketers coming through the ranks. Bowlers and batters like Pragyan Ojha & Shahbaz Nadeem and Cheteshwar Pujara & Ajinkya Rahane are testament to the value of performing in red-ball domestic tournaments.

When it comes to today's generation, there have been enough cases of players being fast-tracked to the Indian Test squad. Rishabh Pant, T Natarajan, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, are prominent illustrations of the same. This particular pathway has had mixes results though. This is mainly due to the difference in mindsets while playing white and red-ball cricket. 

Batters who flourish in the shorter format may struggle to curb their instincts in Tests, ending up throwing their wicket away at a seemingly non-threatening ball. With respect to bowlers, there is an immense need to bowl longer spells and develop plans over time, and sticking with them more importantly. The IPL may sharpen temperament during dynamic match scenarios, but it doesn't expose players to situations such as deteriorating pitches, the tricky red ball, and the plethora of old-school tactics.

It is beyond any doubt that the IPL is instrumental in scouting raw talent and testing players under the most high-octane of environments, the Ranji Trophy must remain the primary manner through which players should be shortlisted for the national red-ball unit. Despite the setting of Test cricket is evolving with more results being produced rather than draws, faster run-rates, and tempo-setting batting, the basic essence of application, endurance, and patience remains the same.

Conclusion

To sum up, the IPL can offer a springboard to talent. However, it should not become the one and only gateway to Test cricket. Ranji Trophy performances are still the best indicators to gauge readiness of a particular player in the longest format. India’s past and current red-ball maestros are enough proof that the grind of domestic cricket is invaluable.