According to the BCCI’s rule, only a woman cricketer can participate in foreign league matches, men are not allowed to play in any foreign T20 or T10 league. If male cricketers want to play foreign league tournaments, then they will have to announce their retirement from international cricket. After this, an NOC from the board is not required for the players to play foreign league.
It is a reality that Indian cricketers are in great demand for foreign leagues. Scores of commentators and cricket-lovers are of the view that Indian cricketers can be stars in these leagues. This is the reason why many players who lost hope of returning to Team India may become part of the foreign leagues.
That is also the reason why several cricketers have announced retirement over the last two years. Yuvraj Singh is the first Indian player to have played in the Global T20. However, he had played in this league after retirement. But he had taken NOC from the BCCI for the league despite being retired.
If the report of Sydney Morning Herald is to be believed Cricket Australia is looking for a team for Yuvi. It is like an opportunity coming his way. In fact, no Indian male cricketer has ever played in BBL. Cricket Australia is well aware of the BCCI rule that does not allow any active Indian player to play in any foreign league. Yuvraj Singh’s manager Jason Warne has confirmed that he is working with Cricket Australia to find the all-rounder a franchise for the 2020 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). If any of franchises of BBL wants to include Yuvraj Singh in their team, then Yuvi may make a big announcement about the same. The BBL tournament is beginning from 3 December.
Earlier, Virander Sehwag and Zaheer Khan had got the permission to play in T10 leagues in UAE because both of them had announced retirement from international cricket. Last month, after his retirement, all-rounder Irfan Pathan had been included in the Caribbean Premier League’s players’ draft. But BCCI did not give him permission because he plays first class cricket actively. Likewise, the board had also not given permission to Yusuf Pathan to play in Hong Kong T20 league two years ago. Leg spinner Pravin Tambe is now-a-days playing in the Caribbean Premier League. He used to play in IPL on behalf of KKR. Tambe was chosen for the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) with the help of Shah Rukh Khan who is the franchise of this team.
When Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket foreign leagues were hopeful of him joining them. Former Australia cricketer and the head coach of ‘London Spirit in The Hundred’, Shane Warn made a public offer to Dhoni to join his team when the competition gets underway in England next year. The Hundred is franchise-based 100- ball cricket tournament to be played in England and Wales and administered by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Yuvraj Singh, who has been Player of the Tournament in World Cup 2011, had played his last match in 2017. After this, he could not return to the team and at the time of World Cup 2019 he announced his retirement. The left-hand all-rounder has made 8,701 runs in 304 One Day matches. Yuvraj has taken 111 wickets in ODI cricket. He has also played 40 Tests and 58 T20I for India. He is remembered for six sixes in an over of Stuart Broad.