Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar has lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for scheduling India A multi-day games along with the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season.
It’s worth noting that India A will play three multi-day games against New Zealand A between October 24 and November 10. Interestingly, the third and fourth rounds of India’s most prestigious domestic tournament will coincide with India A’s schedule.
“Why do you have an India A tour when the Ranji Trophy season is in progress? What’s the point of holding the Ranji Trophy then? This idea of having a shadow tour when your own domestic season is on is plain ridiculous because you are diluting the importance of your premier domestic tournament,” Vengsarkar said.
“If your best domestic players are playing for India A during the Ranji Trophy, then the performances of those who score runs and take wickets in the Ranji Trophy get devalued. It’s beyond me why these A tours are being organised during the domestic season,” he added.
Further, Vengsarkar questioned the rationale behind sending India A teams overseas to help fringe players adapt to foreign conditions ahead of senior team tours. Given that these squads rarely feature established Test regulars, the former Indian captain expressed his disapproval of the approach.
“If you want your players to acclimatise early to the conditions and local environment, then send your main team early. There’s no point sending players who are not even going to play in the Test series,” Vengsarkar concluded.
