The Indian domestic cricket season kicked off on Thursday with the quarterfinals of the Duleep Trophy. Teams representing various zones locked horns in the tournament's opening matches, but spectators were left disappointed as none of the matches were live.
Although reports indicated that the games would be telecast on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, neither channel/platform live streamed the quarterfinals.
This caused confusion and outrage among fans, particularly since the Duleep Trophy includes numerous prominent Indian players. Fans went to social media to ask the BCCI why they hadn't broadcasted the matches.
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Why the Matches Weren't Televised
A BCCI official elaborated that they have a limit on how many days of cricket are allowed to be telecast according to their contract with the official broadcaster. That's the reason why the final game of the Duleep Trophy will be telecast live.
A BCCI source informed Gaurav Gupta of TOI that:
"The BCCI has a contract with its official Broadcaster for a fixed number of Indian Cricket Telecast Days. These have to be managed carefully - only the Duleep Trophy final will be telecast live but this needs to improve from a fans Perspective."
This news did nothing to reassure fans, who believe that domestic cricket should be given greater publicity, particularly when some star players are involved.
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Key Players Missing and Playing
Although big guns such as India Test captain Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Dhruv Jurel, and Akash Deep don't figure in the quarterfinals, there is no lack of talent on offer. Ankit Kumar is the North Zone captain with Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dhull, and Ayush Badoni in the side. Rajat Patidar is the captain of Central Zone in Jurel's absence.
East Zone has Mohammed Shami, Riyan Parag, and Mukesh Kumar and is a power-packed side. Though there are these big names, not having live coverage has left the fans dismayed to see domestic heroes in action.
Now that the final is about to be telecast, one can only hope that the BCCI will act in forthcoming seasons to bring more coverage of domestic tournaments such as the Duleep Trophy.
