Suresh Raina: Players like him, should be allowed to play in foreign leagues

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Suresh Raina has said that BCCI should give permission to non-contracted players to play in at least two foreign leagues. During a live chat session on Instagram with Irfan Pathan, Raina has said that players like himself, Yusuf Pathan, Robin Uthappa, and others how don't have a central contract should be allowed to participate in foreign T20 leagues.

As of now, Indian players have not been issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in any of the foreign leagues. He said that if players are allowed to play in other leagues, it will help them stay fit and hone their skills further.



"I wish BCCI plans something with ICC or the franchises... whichever player is not with a BCCI contract should be allowed to play in foreign T20 leagues. Because I feel they're a lot of players like that - including Yusuf Pathan, myself, Robin Uthappa... There are many quality players who can go abroad and learn a lot of things, whichever league that is in. Allow us to play in two leagues, where we go, play, and the BCCI themselves say 'you go play there'," Raina said.

Raina restates that IPL is the only option for non-contracted players. If they failed to perform there then there is no 'Plan B' for them. He also said that many foreign players make their comebacks in their national team by performing well in overseas leagues.

"If we play competitive cricket in three months, whether that's Big Bash League or CPL... anything that makes us feel we're ready. If you see overseas players all play, and then they make comebacks for their country. We play IPL, and there's a big pool of players so if they [franchises] feel we're not good, then there's no plan B for us. If we go abroad, perform there and stay fit and play well, then our cricket will also improve and we'll get to learn a lot," he added.



Irfan Pathan also seemed to agree with Suresh Raina as he felt that BCCI is not considering 30 years and above players to play in the national team.

"My suggestion is that all the players who are 30-years-old and not in the radar to play international cricket, BCCI should allow them to play in foreign leagues," Pathan said.

Suresh Raina, who is the first and one of the only three Indian players to have scored a century in all three formats, has played 226 ODIs, 18 Tests, and 76 T20Is for team India. Apart from international cricket, Raina has been a regular player in IPL for CSK since the tournament introduced in 2008. He is knows as Mr. IPL for his spectacular records in the Indian Premier League. Stay tuned...