We do not provide our players to any other cricket league abroad: BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla

BCCI Vice President, Rajeev Shukla, recently cleared the air about the rumours of former Indian captain MS Dhoni mentoring the Johannesburg Super Kings for the inaugural edition of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) T20 league. It has to be noted that all six franchisees in the CSA T20 league were bought by the owners of various IPL franchises and Johannesburg Super Kings have roped in Moeen Ali, Maheesh Theekshana, and Faf du Plessis who have all been part of the CSK setup.

Apart from the CSA T20 league, the UAE has introduced the ILT20 league which is set to collide with the dates of the CSA T20 league next year from January-February 2023. Both these new leagues have been signing marquee players from around the world while the BCCI has been strict on not allowing the Indian cricketers to join any other T20 league.

Shukla recently confirmed that the BCCI does not have a policy for Indian players to join any other foreign cricket league and highlighted the importance of players sticking to the IPL.

Our Indian Premier League is itself a huge league: Rajeev Shukla

“We do not provide our players to any other cricket league abroad. We have a straight policy regarding this. Our Indian Premier League is itself a huge league and we cannot allow any of our players to attach themselves to any foreign league in any manner,” Shukla was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

In the past, leg spinner Pravin Tambe had played for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League without getting a NOC from the BCCI, and it meant that he wasn’t allowed to take part in the IPL despite bagging a contract. One of the main reasons behind BCCI’s strict policy has been the popularity of the IPL tournament which has been unmatched by any other global cricket tournament.

The players have been bought for huge money in the IPL and the tournament has been a great platform for the youngsters from different parts of the world to portray their potential.