/mazaplay/media/agency_attachments/EqX62rkwonI9tRKyXUEH.png)
Follow Us/mazaplay/media/media_files/Ewagg5Ev12HZQnG3cpah.png)
Manoj Tiwary (Source: X)
Recently retired Bengal cricketer Manoj Tiwary has found himself in hot water after making critical statements about India's premier domestic red-ball tournament. The legendary Bengal batter in first-class cricket questioned how the Ranji Trophy was being played and even suggested scrapping the tournament as he felt it had lost its "charm and importance".
“Ranji Trophy should be scrapped off from the calendar from the next season onwards. So many things going wrong with the tournament. So many things need to be looked into to save this prestigious tournament with a rich history. It’s losing its charm and importance. Absolutely frustrated," Tiwary wrote on his X handle on February 10.
His remarks did not go down well with the Indian Cricket Board and as a result, he was fined 20% of his match fee.
Tiwari criticises IPL for diminishing Ranji Trophy importance
The cricketer-turned-politician also requested the board to increase the significance of the Ranji Trophy. He opined that players are more inclined towards the Indian Premier League (IPL) and that has diminished the importance of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Tiwary's request appears to have been accepted, with board secretary Jay Shah recently asking centrally contracted and India A players to play in the Ranji Trophy if they want to play for the country. There were also reports that he sent a letter to the players after young wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan skipped the entire season.
The Bengal captain retired from all forms of cricket after his state's Ranji Trophy campaign this season. During his felicitation at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club on Monday, Tiwary claimed that his remark on X forced the board to direct the players to play in the Ranji Trophy.
"The board is concerned that high-profile players are not interested in Ranji Trophy games as they want to play in IPL. The young players are inclined towards the IPL. Those not part of IPL go to Dubai and other places. This has diminished the importance of the Ranji Trophy. IPL is a big tournament for us, but I urge the board president and secretary to increase the significance of the Ranji Trophy," Tiwary added.