Ajit Agarkar, the Chairman of BCCI’s Selection Committee, defended the inclusion of IPL performance as a significant factor in player selection, citing it as a crucial platform to assess the abundant talent pool.
Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of BCCI’s Selection Committee, discussed the IPL’s significance in player selection on the SportifyWithPRG YouTube podcast. He highlighted how the tournament acts as a platform for emerging talent to shine, despite facing criticism. He also noted the pressure of performing in front of large crowds, stating that the IPL is a vital testing ground for players to grow familiar with such environments.
“People keep talking about IPL and you can see every year it just keeps throwing players out of the blue. I mean having been a selector now for a few months, I know there are certain players we’ve watched, but there are certain players who suddenly come and show even on a big stage. And IPL is a fairly big stage because of the pressure involved with big crowds,” Agarkar said.
The chairman further emphasized the IPL’s role in testing players’ temperament against top-quality opposition. With the tournament attracting elite talents from India and worldwide, it offers a platform for players to showcase their skills at an international level.
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“You might be bowling to one of the top batters in the world or you might be facing one of the top bowlers in the world and that’s when you stand up and sometimes that’s where you judge the temperament of the player and how consistently he can do it,” he added.
Additionally, Agarkar acknowledged the challenge of selecting players amidst the IPL’s expansive talent pool. Despite the vast talent, he stressed the importance of work ethic, discipline, and determination in propelling players to success. Agarkar suggested that while talent is abundant, it’s the commitment to improvement that separates successful players from the rest, reassuring selectors that talent shortage isn’t a concern.
Last Updated on April 10, 2024
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