Should Ajit Agarkar continue till 2027 World Cup? BCCI vice-president weighs in
At a time when Indian cricket is scaling new heights on the global stage, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, shares insights into the system driving this sustained success. In a conversation with Fazal Khan, Shukla speaks about the depth of India’s talent pool, the role of structured domestic platforms, and the impact of leagues like the IPL.
At a time when Indian cricket is scaling new heights on the global stage, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, shares insights into the system driving this sustained success. In a conversation with TOI, Shukla speaks about the depth of India’s talent pool, the role of structured domestic platforms, and the impact of leagues like the IPL. Excerpts: Q: India’s cricket is at an all-time high, winning multiple World Cups in recent years.
What are the key reasons behind this success? Indian cricket’s success is built on the strength of its vast talent pool. Today, for every position, we have 4-5 equally capable players, which ensures depth and healthy competition.
There is a strong focus on grassroots development, where young talent is identified and nurtured early. The high-performance ecosystem, including the centre of excellence in Bengaluru, plays a crucial role not only in training but also in injury management and player longevity. Structured tournaments across all age groups — men and women — ensure continuous exposure and growth.
Platforms like the IPL and WPL have further accelerated this development by providing world-class exposure. Q: There has been a demand for four UP teams in domestic cricket. What is your view?