Should Indian players be allowed to play in overseas T20 leagues?

As cricket evolves into a global spectacle driven by franchise leagues, one question keeps resurfacing: Should Indian players be allowed to test their skills in overseas T20 tournaments? Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes the time has come for the BCCI to break tradition and let players step beyond domestic boundaries. 

His argument is simple yet powerful: India has an ocean of talent, and not everyone gets a fair chance to shine on the international stage. Allowing non-contracted or fringe cricketers to play abroad, he says, would not only broaden their horizons but also enrich Indian cricket with fresh ideas, techniques, and global experience.

“Why stop a guy from playing in the Big Bash League if he’s not in the Test side or only has a C or D contract?” Shastri questioned. He argued that such experiences would mirror the benefits of the IPL, where young Indian players gain invaluable insights from sharing dressing rooms with international stars.

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Learning Beyond Borders

According to Shastri, playing in foreign leagues is an education in itself, from learning new training methods and adapting to different conditions to understanding diverse cricketing cultures. “Exposure like this can elevate a player’s mindset and skillset when he returns to domestic or IPL cricket,” he explained.

Currently, the BCCI only allows retired players to take part in overseas leagues, while active players must obtain a No Objection Certificate a rarity in practice.

A Step Toward Global Experience

Shastri’s remarks come after Ravichandran Ashwin joined Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League following his retirement, sparking fresh debate on policy change. If the BCCI opens the door for younger talents to play abroad, it could not only enrich individual players but also strengthen Indian cricket, making it more adaptive, competitive, and truly global.