Is it fair for selectors to pick players for the national team based on IPL performances?

The Indian Premier League was started with an aim of providing a platform for every cricketer, be it a renowned player holding years of experience or a budding cricketer with mere experience. The motto of IPL has been described in just four simple Sanskrit words- “Yatra Pratibha Avsara Prapnotihi” meaning “Where Talent Meets Opportunity”.

Over the years, many players who were introduced to the IPL as fresh faces went on to make a big name in the tournament. But this stage should not act as a barrier for deserving candidates who perform in the domestic circuit and do not get a chance in IPL as their dreams and hopes pause.

Many cricketers give out their best in the domestic setup by performing in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but not everyone gets a chance at the IPL because it is the auction that decides their fate. If the selectors start picking players from the IPL into the national side, it would probably do injustice to those left out despite performing at the domestic level. They do keep an eye on the players to see their capabilities, and their ability to handle the pressure situation during a game. But that cannot be the basis of a foundation.

The players should be judged on the basis of their performance throughout the IPL and the domestic setup. If the cricketer performs consistently well across formats, then that can be an indication for the selectors to reward them. Playing in the national side is not as easy as playing in the IPL as the responsibility, the pressure, and the expectations take a huge leap forward. Not every player picked on the basis of his performance in the IPL has worked well in the national setup. The scenario can be explained through a recent example of Venkatesh Iyer, who was picked into the Indian team because of his remarkable performance in the IPL 2021. He got the opportunity but could not manage to utilize it, and as a result, his form in the current IPL season also deteriorated.

Thus, it is not fair for the selectors to pick players for the national team based on IPL performances as there are other deserving candidates who have worked hard in the domestic circuit and are hard done by with lack of chances at the highest level.