Players who are not contracted with BCCI should get a chance to play two overseas leagues: Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina, the veteran Indian batsman, feels that players, who don’t get central contracts from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), should be allowed to play in two overseas leagues. The southpaw reckons that letting the players in foreign tournaments can also help them make a comeback into the national team. Raina, himself, hasn’t played for India since July 2018.

As per the current BCCI policy, a player can only play foreign tournaments after announcing their retirement. According to the Uttar Pradesh-born, other international teams have reaped the benefits of the overseas events by sending their players there. The 33-year-old expressed his opinions during an Instagram Live session with former all-rounder Irfan Pathan.

Such mindset should come in Indian cricket: Suresh Raina

“There are many quality players who are not in BCCI contract like me, Yusuf (Pathan) and (Robin) Uthappa, such players should get a chance from the BCCI to play in two overseas franchise leagues, where they can perform well and make their India comeback,” Raina was quoted as saying during the chat.

“These players are basically not picked in international and IPL mostly, so they can play overseas leagues like CPL and BBL. All the overseas players get many chances to play all T20 leagues and get into their respective national teams. Such mindset should come in Indian cricket,” he added.

Last year, Yuvraj Singh and Manpreet Gony hung their boots after which they played in the Global T20 Canada. The left-handed Yuvraj also played in the previous edition of the T10 League in Abu Dhabi. Even the likes of RP Singh and Zaheer Khan have been part of overseas events.

For Raina, the journey hasn’t been smooth, especially in the last few years. It’s almost been over the year since he was previously seen on the cricket field. He played for the Chennai Super Kings in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Hyderabad.

Thereafter, he underwent his second surgery on his knee in Amsterdam. A few weeks ago, he also became father to a baby child with wife Priyanka. During the quarantine period, he also been pretty active on the social media platforms, posting pictures with his loved ones.