IPL off the radar for U-19 stars?

[Chandan]

IPL off the radar for U-19 stars? G S Vivek Posted online: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 1119 hrs IST New Delhi, July 16: : Notwithstanding the scantily clad cheerleaders and the megabucks that repeatedly hit the headlines, the on-field competition in the Indian Premier League certainly was no child’s play. The Board of Control for Cricket in India certainly thinks so. At a recent executive meeting of the National Cricket Academy, it was proposed to put a blanket ban on all under-19 players from taking part in the IPL. The idea reportedly met a general consensus, but the matter was deferred for the need to have another round of deliberations and more groundwork before arriving at any decision. The proposal came in the wake of youngsters’ general interest for the Twenty20 format and changing motivational levels, the subsequent desire to innovate rather than strengthening basic skills and the question over their ability to cope with the demands of constant pressure situations and rigorous travelling. “Yes, there was a talk on the matter. In fact, there has been a lot of informal deliberation between the members who expressed their fear on the consequences of including under-19 players,†says Sunil Dev, an NCA committee member. “There’s one question that needs to be answered. The NCA spends lakhs of rupees grooming youngsters form the under-16 stage, holding clinics with specialists emphasising on core skills. After that, it doesn’t make sense to put them straight into Twenty20, where they need to do exactly the opposite. Everybody has agreed to it in principle, but it was decided that there was a need to do further homework on the matter.†Another NCA official also admitted that under-19 players in the IPL would have to be looked at very closely. “There’s so much of fame and money involved... and now, with two of the players getting India berths too, the youngsters are concentrating too much on T20 cricket. Under the circumstances, the basic purpose of the NCA would be under threat. If things continue like this, it will be very difficult to find good Test cricketers,†he says. According to sources, even before the high-profile auction, it was decided that under-19 players would be kept out of the IPL, but with the team winning the under-19 World Cup, president Sharad Pawar put in a special request that these youngsters should also be given a chance on the big stage. Subsequently, the BCCI introduced the draft system. Though the under-19 batch didn’t set the IPL on fire except in one-off cases, the NCA is torn between the theory of valuable exposure to youngsters — playing with international stars is bound to help — and the damage Twenty20 could do to their basic cricket skills. Sanjeev Sharma, chairman of the junior selectors, endorses the fact that there is a lot to learn from playing on the big stage, but that “it’s important to ensure that the motivational and skill levels of the players are not waning from ‘real cricket’â€. Interestingly, Sharma had, earlier, proposed that only under-19 with players with a minimum experience of 10 First Class games be allowed to be part of the IPL, because by that time, they would have adjusted to the domestic circuit and it would be easier for them to deal with their successes and failures. With the ICC agreeing that Twenty20 has become a threat to Test and one-day cricket, back home, the NCA is quietly gearing up for a corrective measure. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just cannot believe that someone is thinking sensibly in BCCI!!!!:shock: :omg: So what exactly does NCA do to the U-16 players? Are all the U-16 players of India getting the training in basic skills at NCA? And who are the various coaches? Can't NCA have its own site? Anyway, this decision hasn't been taken yet, so I mustn't get over-excited!!!

[fineleg]

“There’s so much of fame and money involved... and now, with two of the players getting India berths too, the youngsters are concentrating too much on T20 cricket. Under the circumstances, the basic purpose of the NCA would be under threat. If things continue like this, it will be very difficult to find good Test cricketers,†he says.

Yes! But will Lalit Modi relent? Will MSD champion and set example?

[msb1991]

Just cannot believe that someone is thinking sensibly in BCCI!!!!:shock: :omg:

This is a very good move by the BCCI. U19 stars should not be showered with riches so early in their career.

[King]

I don't know about this though. Some may just want to be IPL champs and what is wrong with that? Ultimately for any cricketer test match stands tall and is valued. I don't quite like this idea of stopping someone from playing IPL because they are not too old.

[amits]

nice to c bcci becoming sensible. maybe have a minimum age of 20 or something for a player to play in ipl irrespective of how much talented he is. although players aged even 15-16 can play in domestic cricket if they r talented

[msb1991]

They should allow franchises to buy U19 players but not play them or perhaps enforce a quota of games per tournament/week, etc. U19 players can benefit massively from IPL coaching.

[theguyinallblue]

No IPL franchise can impart the level of coaching...that a BCCI sponsored NCA can do... all prospective youngesters are given training at NCA...so there is no need for U19s to go to IPL to gain exposure... i think gradual exposure is the right way of grooming any young player.. i think for all players which are younger than 21...it should be mandatory for them to have at least two years of Ranji or Domestic experience..to be considered for IPL selection... Junior WC winner captain...is already soiling his pants on australian pitches...that he is playing currently... so no need to hype and tempt these youngsters... we need a good number of players to pick and choose for test matches... a young mind is not developed to differentiate between good and bad....obviously they will go after money..fame ...girls...etc.. so to keep them grounded...its better to cut their clips early..

[msb1991]

No IPL franchise can impart the level of coaching...that a BCCI sponsored NCA can do...

Why not? Often, a small tip given from an star like Glenn Mcgrath can be priceless to a young player.

all prospective youngesters are given training at NCA...so there is no need for U19s to go to IPL to gain exposure...

They might get a high level of coaching at the NCA, but there are some world famous coaches at the IPL such as Dennis Lillee, John Buchanan who can help players a lot.

i think gradual exposure is the right way of grooming any young player..

Indeed, but playing with international stars is always a massive jump, even for someone who has played often for A teams and so why wait for someone before giving them a chance to net with some IPL superstars.

i think for all players which are younger than 21...it should be mandatory for them to have at least two years of Ranji or Domestic experience..to be considered for IPL selection...

No, lets not have so many stipulations or it will all become very tedious.

a young mind is not developed to differentiate between good and bad....obviously they will go after money..fame ...girls...etc..

Indeed, which is why the stipulation was brought in, but I don't think any more is needed.

[cowboysfan]

I dont know.T20 forces you to innovate.It forces you to keep the score moving.It forces you to try shots which are risky as they are worthwhile.It forces you to perfect your favourite stroke for a 4/6(gambhir and his inside out shot). does this mean these youngsters will forget their basic cricket skills?.If it does then they are not very good anyway .some of these youngsters are very poor and i wouldnt begrudge them the salary. The BCCI should come to a decision and stick with it no matter what.

[theguyinallblue]

Why not? Often, a small tip given from an star like Glenn Mcgrath can be priceless to a young player. They might get a high level of coaching at the NCA, but there are some world famous coaches at the IPL such as Dennis Lillee, John Buchanan who can help players a lot. Indeed, but playing with international stars is always a massive jump, even for someone who has played often for A teams and so why wait for someone before giving them a chance to net with some IPL superstars. No, lets not have so many stipulations or it will all become very tedious. Indeed, which is why the stipulation was brought in, but I don't think any more is needed.

Why not? Often, a small tip given from an star like Glenn Mcgrath can be priceless to a young player. for bowlers ..i agree that spending some time with Legends like McG or Polly will help a great deal... but i don't think it will bring a lot of change... for a bowler to develop a new skill... he needs to practice it for hours and days before he can be confident of that delivery.. spending few hours..won't help that much...and these people are available to anyone who are otherwise interested in learning..besides...i think too many cooks spoils the soup...its better to learn from one coach than consult many... and at NCA...we have so many specialized coaches..fielding expert...Bio-mechanics...video analysts..etc.. so i would still want to see a U19 to under go training at NCA and learn the tricks of trade there....from one source... but playing with international stars is always a massive jump, even for someone who has played often for A teams and so why wait for someone before giving them a chance to net with some IPL superstars. as long as these players know that they are not going to get selected for IPL..and will not get any penny from it...they are welcome to learn as much as they can..in Nets..or by chatting with these greats... these U19s can be the net bowlers...or they can get some knocks against Polly or Vaas or Warne...but not as a team member...but as an understudy...

[msb1991]

spending few hours..won't help that much...and these people are available to anyone who are otherwise interested in learning..besides...i think too many cooks spoils the soup...its better to learn from one coach than consult many...

That is a valid point but that is an issue with IPL teams having coaches rather than U19s since too many sources of information can be harmful to any aged cricketer. I could be mistaken, but I believe that the BCCI currently do not have a coaching qualification and it is something which they must introduce with the help of the NCA - as far as I am aware, they use the ECB qualifications.

and at NCA...we have so many specialized coaches..fielding expert...Bio-mechanics...video analysts..etc.. so i would still want to see a U19 to under go training at NCA and learn the tricks of trade there....from one source...

Indeed, but not all talented U19s have access to the NCA.

but playing with international stars is always a massive jump' date= even for someone who has played often for A teams and so why wait for someone before giving them a chance to net with some IPL superstars. as long as these players know that they are not going to get selected for IPL..and will not get any penny from it...they are welcome to learn as much as they can..in Nets..or by chatting with these greats...

I think the IPL teams should be allowed to purchase youngsters for long term contracts like five years for cheap amounts to invest in a young talent.

these U19s can be the net bowlers...or they can get some knocks against Polly or Vaas or Warne...but not as a team member...but as an understudy...

I agree, but there is no reason that these understudies cannot recieve small wages.