India's chief selector Sunil Joshi suggests starting the domestic season with T20 tournament

Sunil Joshi was appointed as the chief selector of team India in March this year. The new panel headed by the former spinner selected the squad for the South Africa ODI series at home which was eventually cancelled due to COVID-19.

For the new-look selection panel, the biggest goal this year would be selecting the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020. The world event is supposed to start on October 18. However, there are chances that the tournament could be shifted to some time else.

There are speculations that the mega event which will be played in Australia could now be played in March 2021. Amidst all this, a fresh report suggests that the chief selector and his panel wants the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to make some changes in the domestic cricket season schedule after the resumption of the sport.

Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy a priority for Joshi-led selection panel

The Indian domestic season generally starts in August and goes on till March. The much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) is played then which is considered a part of the domestic season as well. Last year, the season kickstarted with Duleep Trophy. However, according to report in Mumbai Mirror, the selectors have come together and requested the board to have Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy at the beginning of the season.

The T20 competition was played in November last year with the auction in December. Considering the schedule for the T20 World Cup, the selectors’ request seems only fair. If the season begins with the T20 tournament, it will allow them to see the performance of the players in contention in the format. There are also speculations that the chief selector has asked the board to stage the tournament before the IPL.

The IPL 2020 was scheduled to begin on March 29. However, due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the tournament was postponed. There are chances that the BCCI might eye the slot of August and September to stage the cash-rich league. However, no decision has been taken on the same yet.

As far as Sunil Joshi is concerned, he took over as the chief selector from MSK Prasad. The former Indian spinner has coached Bangladesh, Oman and USA in different roles.