England opener Alex Hales presented a counter-view to India head coach Rahul Dravid’s comments against Indian players’ participation in overseas T20 leagues. According to Hales, “it’s a shame” that cricketers from the Indian shores don’t get to play in leagues outside the Indian Premier League in a scenario that plagues their growth as T20 players.
“It’s a shame that Indian guys don’t get a chance to play in different leagues,”
Hales had told the press after England’s win over India in the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal last Thursday.
“It would be good for everyone, benefit them and benefit the leagues to have the best players in the world playing.”
Hales had cited the example of playing in Adelaide during his stints with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League as an experience he put to great use for the semifinal bout with the Indians. The right-hander blasted his way to an unbeaten 86 off 47 balls in England’s ten-wicket victory towards the final.
“[Adelaide] is a ground where I’ve played a lot of cricket in the past and enjoyed some success. To have that sort of mindset before you head out there on a big occasion probably settles the nerves a bit and gives you confidence that you can put on a performance like that,”
the 33-year-old added.
Indian players not taking part in leagues other than the Premier League is part of the cricketing discussions on the outside once again ever since coach Dravid was asked whether the situation is one major detriment to cricketers’ development in T20s.
While other nations’ players get to play in different conditions versus a varying set of oppositions to upskill their games in these leagues, Indian players have, over the years, remained confined to the IPL and T20Is as BCCI look to keep IPL’s primacy intact.
When asked about the same, Dravid had recognised the benefits to players from England, Australia and other countries playing in different T20 leagues but also said he understands why the BCCI wouldn’t allow NOCs to Indian players for the same.
A well-versed individual, the Indian batting legend said since many of these leagues, including the BBL in Australia, are held during the peak Indian domestic season, allowing home-grown cricketers to take part could have a negative impact on India’s senior first-class and List A competitions.
