The current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is expected to play a crucial role in the selection of many players. However, this approach has faced criticism from various quarters. Ajit Agarkar, the head of the BCCI Selection Committee and a former player for India, has expressed his opinion on the matter, highlighting the IPL as an excellent venue for evaluating the vast talent pool within Indian cricket.
Ajit Agarkar participated in the YouTube podcast, SportifyWithPRG, where he discussed why India’s premier franchise cricket tournament could serve as a crucial platform to discover future talents for Indian cricket. He emphasized how the IPL has propelled players into the spotlight through stellar performances for their franchises, ultimately earning them spots in the Indian national team.
IPL is a fairly big stage because of the pressure involved with big crowds- Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar feels that the new generation of players will need to acclimatize to the significant presence of crowds in cricket matches.
People keep talking about IPL and you can see every year it just keeps throwing players out of the blue. I mean having been a selector now for a few months, I know there are certain players we’ve watched, but there are certain players who suddenly come and show even on a big stage. And IPL is a fairly big stage because of the pressure involved with big crowds”.
Ajit Agarkar also pointed out the quality of opposition players face in the IPL, noting that it provides a stern test of their temperament. The tournament consistently features top talents from India and around the world, offering a stage for international players to showcase their skills and earn spots in their national teams. Agarkar further stated,
“You might be bowling to one of the top batters in the world or you might be facing one of the top bowlers in the world and that’s when you stand up and sometimes that’s where you judge the temperament of the player and how consistently he can do it”.
It’s sometimes a difficult task- Ajit Agarkar on Squad Selection
As the IPL grows larger, it presents a challenge for selectors to identify standout performers. Agarkar highlighted that the distinguishing factor among talented cricketers is their ability to perform under pressure on the big stage. The 46-year-old added,
It’s sometimes a difficult task because of the sheer numbers that we have. But eventually, the more you watch players, you generally know who you get a sense of it. Temperament sometimes separates it”.
The Chief Selector of the BCCI elaborated on this by emphasizing the work ethic of talented players, along with their determination and discipline. These qualities, he noted, elevate players to distinguish themselves from other talented individuals. He said,
I think everyone has some talent to reach a certain stage. What you do with that talent, how good your work ethic is, how disciplined you are and how determined you are may separate the guys who make it from the guys who are probably just as talented but don’t quite make that step. But now, talent is not an issue, which is always a plus as a selector”.
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