India's big guns need to play domestic cricket
Even just a few years ago it was occasionally possible to watch the likes of Sachin Tendulkar turn out for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy
Tariq Engineer
25-Feb-2013
Even just a few years ago it was occasionally possible to watch the likes of Sachin Tendulkar turn out for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. But Tendulkar has not played a first-class match since 2008-09, and it is common practice for those who play regularly for India not to turn out for their state teams these days. Given the volume of international cricket being played, this is not surprising, but Ayaz Memon, writing in India Today, argues that India needs to have its big guns playing domestic cricket again.
The Australian system was so robust till a few years ago, because playing domestic cricket was mandatory for all players. Likewise, the change in the England team's performances in recent years is not just because of a more hardy mindset and fine coaching, but because of a more diligent talent search that made participation in domestic cricket imperative for every player.
Tariq Engineer is a former senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo