The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly planning measures to ensure India’s top cricketers remain engaged with both red-ball and white-ball formats ahead of their crucial Test tour of England in June.
With IPL 2025 scheduled from March 22 to May 25, balancing franchise commitments with Test match preparedness presents a challenge, especially given India’s recent struggles in the longest format.
India’s Test performances have been under scrutiny following a home whitewash against New Zealand and a Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat in Australia. These losses meant India failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the 2023-25 cycle. Determined to start the new WTC cycle strongly, the BCCI is reportedly implementing a structured plan to keep players in red-ball rhythm.
A report from Cricbuzz states that players will be required to participate in occasional red-ball practice sessions and specialized activities designed for key individuals. “It’s likely that players will be asked to participate in occasional red-ball practice sessions or engage in unconventional activities tailored to targeted players. Clearly, the BCCI aims to stem the series of defeats in five-day matches,” the report said. However, the specifics of these sessions remain undisclosed as the board looks to handle the matter discreetly.
Discussions on the roadmap have already commenced, with a key meeting taking place in Dubai during the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy fixture. More deliberations are expected after the tournament. Historically, players have been allowed to fully focus on the IPL, but given India’s recent red-ball struggles, the selectors are considering an intervention.
The upcoming five-Test series in England, starting on June 20 at Headingley, is seen as a crucial opportunity for India to reclaim their dominance in the format. The BCCI hopes that these new initiatives will help strike a balance between formats and lead to a much-needed turnaround in India’s Test fortunes. However, whether these measures will be effective remains to be seen.
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