Ravindra Jadeja following the domestic route ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India's disappointing performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia sparked widespread discussions about the lack of participation from senior players in domestic red-ball cricket. The decline in the team's overall performance, particularly in Test cricket, led the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take proactive steps to address the issue. In response, the BCCI introduced a stringent 10-point policy aimed at improving discipline and ensuring that players remain in top form ahead of international fixtures.

As part of the new guidelines, the BCCI has made it compulsory for all players to participate in domestic cricket, irrespective of their international commitments. This move aims to keep players match-ready and maintain their skill levels. Following the announcement, star players like Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant made themselves available for their respective states in domestic cricket. Now, Ravindra Jadeja, one of India's premier all-rounders, has committed to playing for Saurashtra in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Delhi, in line with the new policy.

The BCCI has made it clear that failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in serious consequences, which could include exclusion from future international assignments or even the termination of central contracts. This new approach aims to foster discipline, ensure better preparation, and improve India's overall performance in all formats of the game. The BCCI's move has already started reshaping the way players approach their domestic commitments.

"Jadeja has turned up for training today. He will play the next match,” Saurashtra Cricket Association president Jaydev Shah was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

Rishabh Pant has been included in the Delhi squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture against Saurashtra, as confirmed by the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA). This marks Pant’s commitment to fulfilling the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s new policy, which requires senior players to participate in domestic cricket. Pant’s inclusion comes as part of the BCCI's efforts to ensure players stay match-fit and maintain their skills. On the other hand, Virat Kohli, the veteran India batter, has made himself unavailable for the fixture due to a neck injury, which has kept him out of the game.

Meanwhile, the BCCI recently announced India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Speaking to the media, BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the significance of domestic cricket, highlighting that it plays a crucial role in maintaining players' form and ensuring the team’s readiness. He stressed that participation in domestic cricket is now mandatory for all players, as it helps improve overall discipline and readiness for international assignments. Agarkar’s comments align with the BCCI’s larger goal of improving India’s performance across all formats by ensuring senior players stay engaged with the domestic circuit.

“I don’t think it’s a diktat. It’s one of the things that BCCI has obviously put forward. But as I said, I mean, as selectors, we expect people, when they’re available, to play because that can only strengthen our domestic structure,” Agarkar stated.