Uthappa urges BCCI to allow Indian players to play in overseas T20 leagues
Friday, 22 May 2020 (19:20 IST)
New Delhi: India batsman Robin Uthappa on Friday urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow the non-contracted players to participate in foreign Twenty 20 leagues.
The BCCI bars its male players from participating in franchise T20 leagues except for their own Indian Premier League (IPL).
During BBC's Doosra podcast, Kolkata Knight Riders veteran Uthappa said that it hurts when the board bars them for participating in overseas tournaments.
"Please let us go, honest to god please let us go. Because sometimes, you've played for so long at a certain level and then when you have to comeback and play first-class cricket, it takes a little time to get used to it," Uthappa said.
"It does hurt when we are not allowed to go and play other leagues in the world," he added.
Uthappa, who was bought by Rajasthan Royals at the IPL auctions in December last year, asked the BCCI to lift the restriction so that Indian players can 'learn and grow' as much as possible.
"It would be so nice if we could go and play at least a couple of others because as a student of the game you want to learn and grow as much as you can," he said.
Earlier, a similar suggestion was made by Suresh Raina in an Instagram Live chat with former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan few days ago.
BCCI's policy does not allow Indian players to participate in foreign T20 tournaments such as Big Bash League (BBL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Mzansi Super League (South Africa), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) etc.
The situation makes it quite difficult for aged players and ones who are no longer in contention for a national spot, to remain relevant and extend their careers.
However, Uthappa hopes that new BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's 'progressive' outlook could do wonders for his cause.
"Ganguly is a very progressive thinking human being, someone who has always looked to take India to the next level. He actually laid the foundation for where India cricket is now. We're hoping that he will look at this at some point," said Uthappa.
Under normal circumstances, Uthappa would have been busy representing Rajasthan Royals in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League but the league was postponed indefinitely by the BCCI due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(UNI)
