Veteran Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has issued a stark warning about the alarming disparity in quality between teams in the country's domestic cricket circuit. His comments come in the wake of a brutally one-sided encounter in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, where Bihar amassed a mammoth 574 runs in 50 overs against Arunachal Pradesh.
A Record Total Sparks a Serious Debate
While the sheer scale of the scorecard is impressive, Ashwin argues it highlights a deeper systemic issue. The match saw Bihar register their highest-ever team total in men's List A cricket history. The batting carnage was led by young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who smashed a blistering 190 runs off just 84 deliveries. He was ably supported by Ayush Loharuka (116 off 56 balls) and captain Sakibul Gani, who scored a whirlwind 128 from a mere 40 balls.
Speaking on his popular YouTube channel, Ashwin began by applauding Sooryavanshi's individual brilliance but quickly pivoted to the bigger, more concerning picture. "Huge applause for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. But I again want to ask a question," Ashwin stated. "There is a huge divide, chalk and cheese, in terms of quality with some teams. It becomes very lop-sided with some teams and there is no contest at all."
Ashwin's Concern: What About the Losing Side?
The seasoned off-spinner expressed worry about the psychological impact such drubbings have on emerging teams. He questioned whether these mismatches serve any developmental purpose for Indian cricket. "It is not an ideal contest. Credit to Vaibhav for his performance. He is doing what he has to do," Ashwin conceded. "But if we are serious about teams like Arunachal Pradesh becoming good sides, what will this do to their confidence?"
Ashwin's critique points to a fundamental challenge in nurturing cricket across all regions of India. While powerhouse states consistently produce international talent, the gulf in infrastructure, coaching, and competitive exposure for teams from newer associations remains vast, leading to non-competitive fixtures that benefit neither side in the long run.
Praise for Ishan Kishan's Resilient Comeback
Shifting focus, Ashwin also took time to praise wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan for his determined return to form. Kishan, who was recently named in India's T20 World Cup squad, has been scoring heavily in domestic cricket. Ashwin highlighted his journey as a testament to perseverance.
"Everyone goes through good and bad times but Ishan Kishan had a challenging time," Ashwin reflected. He recounted Kishan's path, which included a break from the game, a double century in ODIs, a mixed IPL, and strong performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he recently scored a 33-ball hundred.
"It shows what confidence and form can do to a person when time aligns," Ashwin added. "He has not waited saying his time will come, he has put in that effort." This endorsement underscores the value of domestic cricket as a platform for redemption and a proving ground for national selection.
Ashwin's dual commentary—critiquing the structural imbalance while celebrating individual resilience—frames a crucial conversation for Indian cricket administrators. The record-breaking match has served as a catalyst, forcing a re-evaluation of how to bridge the quality gap and ensure domestic cricket fulfills its role as a genuine feeder system for the national team.
