'What is the priority? India or franchise cricket?' - Ravi Shastri criticizes BCCI after India's failure in WTC final

Former India cricketer turned commentator Ravi Shastri seems frustrated with the Board of Control for Cricket in India after the Men in Blue kept lagging behind Australia throughout the ICC World Test Championship Final. Shastri wasn't satisfied with the way the Indian batsmen fared against Australia in the first innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, where they wrapped up the show on just 296 runs.

The first three days of India's World Test Championship final encounter against Australia on the green-top Oval field witnessed Australia batting effortlessly, but the Rohit Sharma-led side struggled to equal that performance. Notably, none of the other batters seemed to be geared up against the Australian attack, with the possible exception of Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur, and, to some extent, Ravindra Jadeja. India lost 4 wickets in 18.2 overs owing to the top-order failure.

Following the top-order breakdown, former India coach Ravi Shastri made a straightforward comment about the IPL and BCCI. Shastri was furious and slammed the BCCI for not setting the IPL and national duty priorities accordingly. “You must set your priorities, right? What is the priority? India or franchise cricket? You have to decide that. If you say franchise cricket, then forget this (WTC final). If this is important, then as the custodian of the sport, the BCCI are the bosses. There should be a clause in the IPL contract that if they need a player out of the IPL in the interest of India, they have the right to do it,” Shastri told Star Sports.

The BCCI should incorporate a clause in IPL contracts: Shastri

The 61-year-old further suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) incorporate a clause in IPL contracts enabling franchises to send out players for national duty. “First, put the clause and then ask the franchises to decide how much they want to invest. That is very important. You are the custodian of the sport. You control cricket in the country," Shastri added further.

Meanwhile, following the loss of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara in the second innings, India was kept in the race by Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. India's final-day score read 164/3, and they will need 280 runs to win the coveted mace.