Southern states—such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka—have produced notable cricketers: Ravichandran Ashwin, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, KL Rahul, and Anil Kumble, among others. Yet, when examining the regional distribution of players across formats, players from Maharashtra and Delhi still dominate. For instance, 74% of Indian batsmen and 82% of bowlers come from eight key states, including Tamil Nadu, but southern representation remains proportionally lower.
Societal & Cultural Barriers
South Indian society often emphasizes academics and stable employment. As ESPNcricinfo observed, many southern families historically prioritize education over sports, seeing professional cricket as risky without a backup career. Uniform academic success and cautious career planning tend to pull good talent into other fields.
Additionally, even within states like Tamil Nadu, structural biases sometimes meant that early state-level selections favored certain communities—though that’s gradually changing. Community outreach in recent years has unlocked talents from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Systemic & Structural Challenges
Critics point to structural biases within selection systems:
- Zonal affiliations: Selectors were previously chosen based on zones, leading to alleged favoritism. Efforts to reduce this bias have seen mixed results.
- IPL-elevated selection: Performance in the IPL often garners more attention than consistent domestic (Ranji Trophy) performances—a system that may sideline players not spotlighted in the IPL.
These factors suggest that broader representation remains a work in progress—not merely an issue of talent, but of access and visibility.
Voices from the Ground
Fans and former cricketers have noticed the gap:
“In general, players from small towns and South India aren’t getting a lot of chances.”
“Why do players from Tamil Nadu always have to perform double time to get in?”
Shared via Reddit discussions referencing multiple voices, including Badrinath and fans echoing similar concerns.
Broader Societal Patterns
There are also deeper socio-economic angles at play. Academic and urban-centric requirements for corporate patronage in sports indirectly favor northern and metropolitan players. Scholars argue these norms have slowed broader inclusion, especially for marginalized communities and states.
Signs of Positive Change
Not all is stagnant. Karnataka was once the backbone of Indian cricket, producing multiple Test legends. Today, the Talent Resource Development Wing (TRDW) and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) aim to expand scouting efforts beyond elite urban centers—creating pathways for talent across regions.
Inclusive grassroots initiatives and expanded interstate competitions are gradually leveling the field, offering hope for more balanced national representation.
Final Thoughts
The South Indian underrepresentation in the Indian cricket team isn’t due to lack of talent—it’s shaped by historical, cultural, and structural factors. While IPL franchises and state bodies are slowly bridging gaps, the BCCI must continue promoting meritocracy through transparent selection, grassroots investment, and institutional reforms. That way, more deserving talent from southern India can earn their deserved place at the national level.
Baishali Karmakar 
Soureesh Datta 
Tanya Singh