Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has received the backing of former player Aakash Chopra in the argument over whether or not Indian cricketers who are not centrally contracted with the BCCI should be allowed to play in foreign cricket leagues.
Raina had recently said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India must allow Indian players to participate in cricket leagues outside the country. The BCCI currently does not allow Indian male players to participate in foreign leagues irrespective of their contract with the cricket body.
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who was in conversation with Raina on Instagram Live, also backed his position, saying that as players get older they have lesser chance of making the team and should be allowed to play in foreign leagues.
Chopra also expressed similar opinions in a video in the segment Open Mic on his YouTube channel and agreed with Raina.
“I strongly feel that players without a central contract should be encouraged to play in foreign T20 Leagues. Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) should go play in CPL, Raina should take part in BBL if he wants. Those who do not play first-class should be allowed to participate in foreign T20 leagues,” Chopra said in the video.
Chopra goes on to speak to former cricketers and journalists on their opinion in the matter. While former players Nikhil Chopra and Deep Dasgupta said Indian cricketers should be allowed to play foreign competitions, journalist Boria Majumdar and former player Sanjay Bangar gave a thumbs down to the proposal.
Following Raina’s stand on this, a BCCI official had said that the board wanted to maintain the exclusivity of the Indian cricketers and ensure that non-contracted players are able to command good value in the IPL.
