The cricketing world in India is huge: Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali, and IPL. There are hundreds of cricketers who produce regular performances every year. But few of them make it into the national team. The question is, why do certain prolific domestic players always live in the shadows?
Case Studies: Stars Who Never Got Their Spotlight
Amol Muzumdar—with over 11,000 first-class runs, he was Mumbai cricket’s giant. But in an era dominated by Sachin, Dravid, and Laxman, his chance never arrived.
Rajinder Goel—India’s highest wicket-taker in Ranji history (640 wickets). Despite his dominance, he never wore the India cap, stuck behind Bishan Singh Bedi in the pecking order.
Wasim Jaffer—the most successful domestic batsman ever, often reduced to a “social media cult hero” today rather than remembered as a Test stalwart.
Why Do They Get Overlooked?
- Era of Greats: Sometimes talent collides with timing; opportunities shrink when legends are still active.
- Selection Bias: Criticism persists that zones and state boards wield influence. Some argue South Zone or smaller state players often get fewer chances.
- Format Shift: With India prioritizing T20s, red-ball stalwarts have less value in selectors’ eyes.
Voices From the Game
Former selector Kris Srikkanth once admitted:
“In India, being talented isn’t always enough. Timing, politics, and perception matter as much.”
Meanwhile, domestic veterans have repeatedly voiced frustration that the system glorifies IPL success over grinding first-class excellence.
Fans Know the Truth
On cricket forums, fans often debate:
- “Would India have been stronger if legends like Muzumdar got a chance?”
- “Does IPL overshadow the hard yards of Ranji cricket?”
- “Are we losing Test specialists because selectors prefer instant stars?”
Final Over
The forgotten legends remind us of cricket’s cruel paradox: performance doesn’t always guarantee opportunity. While India celebrates its global stars, the game owes a silent debt to domestic warriors who kept the system alive. Their stories prove that sometimes, the scoreboard isn’t the only measure of greatness.
Baishali Karmakar 
Soureesh Datta 
Tanya Singh