State associations shouldn't pester pacers for playing Ranji: Dhoni

‘Skipper urged BCCI to closely monitor this bowling unit as they will be key to India's future overseas tours’

The biggest positive for the Indian cricket team in this World Cup has been the performance of its pacers and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels that the trio of Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma should not be forced to play domestic events to ensure that they don't burn out.

Yadav (18 wickets), Shami (17 wickets) and Mohit (13 wickets) shared 48 out of the 72 wickets taken by the Indian bowlers (run-outs excluded) and have surprised one and all with their pace, bounce and control, hitting the right length on most of the occasions.

The only blip came in the semifinal clash against Australia which India lost by 95 runs on Thursday in Sydney.

An impressed India captain feels that this core group of bowlers should be nurtured by the BCCI with utmost care their respective state associations shouldn't pester them for playing in the Ranji Trophy.

When he was asked as to how one would nurture and protect the current bunch, Dhoni cited some practical reasons that can hinder their progress.

"This is a problem that we have had for quite some time now in our set up. Once a fast bowler completes international assignment and goes back, he is then asked by his local state associations to come and bowl in domestic cricket. However there are no checks and balances on the number of overs they are being asked to bowl," a worried Dhoni stated.

There are times when a Shami or an Umesh have been fervently requested and at times even ordered by their respective state associations, Bengal and Vidarbha to play in Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy.

Dhoni strongly opposed this ploy of state associations creating pressure on a bowler or batsman.

"If the fast bowler refuses to play domestic matches, then the local association gets annoyed and would grumble that 'now that you are playing for India means that you won't play for us'.”

The skipper urged the BCCI to closely monitor this bowling unit as they will be key to India's future overseas tours.

"If we want to look at the interests of Indian cricket, we have to monitor the progress of fast bowlers as to how many overs they are sending down and what's amount of workload they are taking. At the same time, our bowlers shouldn't play too many matches in Indian domestic cricket. They should play on and off," Dhoni said.