MUMBAI ― Indian domestic cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ineligible to represent the Indian national cricket team at the moment due to laws, which dictate his ineligibility after he previously took part in a match for the USA Major League Cricket (MLC), according to sources tracking cricket regulations. The 26-year-old batsman has turned the eye with his performances in international T20 leagues, but bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles are delaying his prospects of being picked.
Sooryavanshi declared he would be competing in the MLC prior to India’s 2026 Indian domestic season, casting doubt over his national availability. The Indian cricket selectors and BCCI officials have stressed that playing in foreign leagues without a NOC can make one ineligible to represent the country, specifially those on official BCCI competitions and ICC events.
Also Read: Tata Motors’ Chennai plant in India starts producing JLR vehicles
Cricket experts believe Sooryavanshi has done well in the overseas, especially his role of straight-backed anchor with a batsman’s strike-rate in T20 cricket. Presently, the structure of eligibility of players demands to seek clearance from the official placement by a player who has played in foreign leagues before he can even stand the chance of featuring for his home country. The BCCI’s diktat was to ensure that contracted players are available for domestic tournaments including the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare and Indian Premier League (IPL).
The reason to these few exceptions, as explained by a senior BCCI official on conditions of anonymity is that the NOC for participating in foreign leagues has to be granted from both the player’s home board and the league recruiting him. “The process involves NOC (No-objection certificate), fitness, contractual and review of records,” the official said. “Until that is finalised, he’s not available for selection so far as the national team is concerned.” Observers say the case of Sooryavanshi underscores the tension between lucrative foreign franchise opportunities and traditional selection routes controlled by national governing bodies.
Also Read: Tamil Is India’s Connect With The World, PM Modi Says in Malaysia
Sooryavanshi’s match-winning form in domestic cricket had made him a potential addition to the Indian white-ball teams, where he won effusive praise from the former cricketers for his performances in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Ranji Trophy. It had been widely believed among fans and commentators that he still had a future for Australia in international cricket, particularly in limited-overs formats. But signing school district requirements has made those prospects a temporary halt.
Sooryavanshi is understood to be in discussion with his management and the respective cricket boards to sort out his eligibility question. Fans are optimistic clearance issues can be solved in time for the upcoming international schedules – which include commitments to the Asia Cup and ODI series.
