Cricket News: Lack of IPL superstars in squad hurt India's white-ball approach

That it is a pioneer is undeniable, given the template for a successful T20 league was in many ways set by the IPL's approach. 

And it is undeniably one of the best, if not the best, leagues in the world. But why is there so little talent from the IPL knocking on the doors of the Indian cricket team? 

Many will say the likes of KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav, as well as Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, are in the team thanks in no small part to their IPL performances. 

The same can be said of Dinesh Karthik's 2022 comeback, which happened almost exclusively due to his showings for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. 

But for every IPL star picked, just as many are ignored – either in the short or the long term. So what gives? 

For one, India have tried the approach of loading the team with IPL performers in the past. Only as recently as 2021 were the team adopting this approach. 

For that year, the T20 World Cup squad boasted the likes of Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Chahar, neither of whom had done much at the international level but whose IPL performances were eye-catching. 

Later, the likes of Venkatesh Iyer were also given places in the team due to one good half of the season. It was an approach that, in the mind of the BCCI at least, did not work. 

Hence the reversion to type and the preference for more proven, senior players in the playing XI of the Indian cricket team. But is that the right way to go about things? 

Firstly, the IPL should not be the be-all and end-all for building a team. But, given the quality opposition the players face in the league, it should, at the very least, be a yardstick. 

Secondly, it would make sense to give specific IPL performers time and patience internationally rather than handing every player a chance here or there. 

That way, you could build a stronger core of players rather than simply having many half-baked players to call upon on short notice. 

Lastly, the IPL as a breeding ground should be considered. The league has quality and tests younger players against top-notch international players. 

And yes, the focus must also be on the domestic cricket scene beside the IPL. But that can be done without negating the idea that the IPL is a good proving ground. 

Because if you're not going to use those performances as any benchmark, then it makes no sense to hold the tournament. 

The IPL is a stage where talent gets a chance. But what good is that chance if it doesn't show players a clear pathway to the Indian team?