Raina: BCCI should allow non-contracted players to play in overseas T20 leagues

Suresh Raina feels Indian players without national contracts should be allowed to play in T20 leagues around the world.

The 33-year-old Raina - who has played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is - last represented India in 2018.

The BCCI has not allowed active Indian players to take part in franchise T20 leagues other than the IPL.

Raina, however, feels playing around the world will help older players, like himself, who are looking to make international comebacks.

Speaking in an Instagram Live chat with Irfan Pathan, Raina said: "I hope the BCCI can get together with the ICC or with franchises and allow players who don't have BCCI contracts to play in overseas leagues.

"I feel there are a lot of players, including Yusuf [Pathan], myself, Robin Uthappa - a lot of quality players who can go overseas and learn a lot, no matter which league it is. Allow us to play in two [overseas] leagues.

"We aren't in the BCCI contracts list, some of us don't have IPL contracts, we aren't playing international cricket, and the competition in domestic cricket isn't what it is at the international level.

"If we can get three months of quality cricket, whether it's the CPL or the Big Bash [League] or any league, it can help us stay ready.

"Players from other countries are able to play in these leagues, and a lot of them have made international comebacks after doing well in them."

Raina said the national selectors will also widen the pool of players for them to choose from if they allow non-contracted players to take part in T20 leagues overseas.

The left-handed batsman said: "We play the IPL, but if these people [the BCCI selectors] have a pool of 40-50 players, they think those outside it aren't good enough or are past it, and neglect them.

"We don't have a Plan B. If we go overseas and perform, our cricket will improve and we'll get to learn a lot."

- TEAMtalk media