Ex-RCB Star Misses Ranji Trophy Camp To Join IPL Side, Triggers Priority Debate

Delhi wicketkeeper-batter Anuj Rawat has landed himself in hot water after skipping his side's preparation camp for the upcoming round of Ranji Trophy match to attend his Indian Premier League (IPL) side Gujarat Titans (GT)'s training camp in Surat. Rawat was bought by GT for Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2025 mega auction last year, having been released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Rawat was mentioned among the players who had joined the nets session in GT's official statement.

“Gujarat Titans have commenced their preparations for the IPL 2025 with a training camp in Surat. Players like Anuj Rawat, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Kumar Kushagra, Mahipal Lomror and Arshad Khan have joined the team in the camp along with the coaches and support. staff,” the franchise said in a statement.

At a time when the BCCI brass is adamant that players should give precedence to red-ball cricket during the season, Rawat attending an IPL camp only a week before the commencement of red-ball season is a clear indication of where his priorities lie.

It must be mentioned here that veteran bowler Ishant Sharma has already told DDCA that he won't play red-ball cricket anymore now that he is no longer in contention for a national comeback.

When DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma, who is also the convenor of the senior state team selection committee, was asked if the player in question had sought permission to join his IPL team's pre-season conditioning camp, he replied in negative.

“I have no knowledge that Anuj has skipped the ongoing Ranji Trophy camp to attend the IPL team's camp. Ideally, he needs to take permission from the state association. We have two Ranji games left and the camp is on at the Kotla. I don 't know who gave him the permission to skip the Ranji Trophy camp,' Sharma told PTI.

“Ishant's case is different as he doesn't need DDCA's permission since he doesn't play Ranji Trophy.” It is learned that normally, if an IPL pre-season conditioning camp coincides with a state team camp, one normally takes permission from either the president or the secretary before attending an IPL net session.

“We have received a few official e-mail requests from certain players asking for permission to join their respective IPL camps but I can confirm that we have received no written request from Anuj Rawat. In that case, he shouldn't have joined the IPL. camp,” a senior DDCA official, who looks after cricket operations, said on condition of anonymity.

Last year, KKR's IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, who will lead Punjab Kings this season, lost his central contract along with Ishan Kishan, for giving more importance to IPL than domestic cricket.

(With PTI Inputs)