Follow UsManoj Tiwary announced his retirement from all formats of cricket but had to face a fine from the BCCI after he tweeted that the Ranji Trophy should be “scrapped” from the calendar, alleging playing don’t take it seriously. Despite the fine, Tiwary, a minister in the West Bengal government, doesn’t have anything to lose and went on to add that IPL contract plays a big role in the diminishing standard of the tournament.
“I gave this assessment based on what I witnessed while playing in the tournament. The significance and charm of Ranji Trophy has diminished because the IPL auction happens before the tournament starts. Once a player gets an IPL contract, they don’t have the drive to play Ranji Trophy. There is also the fear that if an injury is sustained during a Ranji Trophy game, it could affect the IPL contract. There is a lot of money involved in the IPL. I think domestic cricket needs ‘servicing’ now,” Tiwary told The Indian Express.
“Yes, players don’t play with seriousness after that (getting an IPL contract). When we started playing domestic cricket, we were told to play with seriousness, be determined, play for the team and aim to be a match-winner. I don’t see that grit and hunger in domestic cricket anymore. Players picked for IPL, they come and play only one way. I’m not saying it’s bad but it’s a similar style. Ranji Trophy is the tournament, which can produce cricketers who are ready for Test cricket. IPL can teach a player about ‘intent’ but carelessness also creeps in as players are trying to score off everyball. In Ranji Trophy, you have to grind out your runs.”
Tiwary further went on to add that India A matches shouldn’t be held during the Ranji Trophy, for it hampers the quality of the tournament and deprives teams of big players. He cited the example of Akash Deep and Abhimanyu Easwaran - who were playing against England Lions instead of Bengal.
“India A matches should not be scheduled at the same time as Ranji Trophy games. A lot of time and effort goes into preparing a team for a Ranji Trophy season. And then three to four players from that team are called up for India A duty. In our team (Bengal), the top two players were representing India A and one was on India duty. I’m fine with Mukesh Kumar on India duty but Akash Deep and Abhimanyu Easwaran were playing for India A. They are core members of the team and in the past their performance helped us to reach the final. When these players left, our team became weak,” the former India batter added.
Tiwary didn’t spare the umpires in domestic cricket, citing the standard is extremely poor in India while adding that the BCCI should conduct dope tests of umpires - for he believes many of them were still nursing a hangover.
“Umpiring for me is the main concern. With all due respect, the standard of umpiring is poor in domestic cricket. The BCCI should think about how they can improve umpiring. It is not about one or two seasons but I have been witnessing this for a number of years now. There are big mistakes but there are some childish mistakes as well.
“In one game, an off-spinner was making a particular noise after each delivery. Many bowlers do… it’s like they are putting some energy on the ball and it sounds like ‘uhhhhhhhh’. In this case an off-spinner was screaming ‘noooo’. At first, I ignored it but later I saw the bowler was doing it consistently. I went to the umpire and complained but the umpire said he did not hear the bowler saying ‘noooo’.
“In the same game, the umpire was referring no-ball decisions to the third umpire after each delivery. I asked, “Sir, why are you referring no ball calls to the umpire. He replied, ‘how can I see the popping crease of the bowler? If I watch where the bowler’s foot lands then, I will not be able to see what happens to the ball’.” At times umpires can’t hear a batsman nicking the ball, but everyone at the ground has heard it.
“If a player has to go through dope tests, it should be extended to domestic umpires. Many times I have seen umpires walking out to the middle while still nursing a hangover. The umpires have looked sleepy. How can he function properly in such a situation?
“I asked, “Sir kya liye tha kal raat mein? (Sir, what did you drink last night?). The reply was: “I prefer whisky on the rocks.” And they laugh. BCCI should get the hearing and eyesight of every umpire checked before the start of each season,” Tiwary added.