From Closed Doors to Camera Lights: Kohli–Rohit Fever Puts BCCI Under Pressure to Open Up Domestic Cricket
A couple of years back the Indian Cricket Board BCCI stated that all centrally contracted players have to represent their respective state teams in domestic games when not engaged with the national team. The change was brought to re-associate Indian players to domestic matches when they are not serving the national team. The decision made several positive changes when big names started joining their state teams back. It gave a chance to domestic players to share the dressing room with established cricketers and gain experience. At the same time it also piqued the interest of Indian cricket fans towards domestic tournaments. Primary examples of it can be the comeback of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
After this directive from the BCCI, a sudden transformation of Indian domestic cricket was seen. Earlier these tournaments were mostly seen as a low-profile grind, watched by purists only. However, after this directive suddenly brought life to these tournaments. The idea was to avoid the drift of established players from domestic cricket once they become a regular part of the national team. However, it rejuvenated the audience as well. A massive crowd gathering in the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to watch Virat Kohli in Ranji Trophy is a great example.
However, the board recently faced the heat from fans, especially on social media regarding the telecast of these domestic games. It heated up when fans wanted to watch players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Unfortunately, the games were organised behind the closed doors and fans’ footfall was restricted. The lack of live telecast of these matches led to massive criticism for the board over social media.
After fans started calling out the mismanagement of broadcasting, the BCCI seems to take note of it. While talking to Sportstar, the current BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has acknowledged that the return of international stars to domestic cricket has changed viewer expectations. Considering this, the board is about to make massive changes in their broadcasting policies.
Mr. Saikia stated that, “Our system was that 100 domestic matches will be televised live.” “That was what we were following. But after the change of the policy, when the best players are playing domestic cricket, the cricket lovers want to watch domestic matches.” He further added that, “So, we are going to change that policy. From 100, we are definitely going to increase the number, and for that, we are working closely with our telecasting partners. We are definitely going to increase the number of matches in the upcoming seasons.“
After this statement, it is clear that fans are eager to watch their favourite players in domestic matches as well. With the comeback of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the domestic circuit has definitely forced the board to make a significant change in their policy.
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