We need to tap cricketing talents in schools: Rajiv Shukla

LUCKNOW - Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajiv Shukla Tuesday said that nothing has been substantially done in the country for tapping talent in schools which would later improve the standards of the game at the national level.

“We are not able to properly tap the talents in schools and establish their link with cricketing associations. We must not forget that tapping the talent in schools is of utmost importance as in later stage it definitely strengthens the cricketing scenario at the national level,” Shukla said during his short address at the International School Cricket Premier League (ISCPL) that started here Tuesday.

“The path to the national level cricket in a way starts from schools. Taking it into account, it’s our responsibility to search cricketing talents from school level that could be catapulted into national level players,” he added.

He called upon cricketing associations and schools to strategise an efficient mechanism for tapping cricketing talents on a regular basis from schools.

“We all have to accept the challenge and work in a concerted action for tapping cricketing talents from schools and colleges. A lot can be done for it. BCCI is there to assist you all in this regard,” said Shukla.

The five-day ISCPL will witness a number of matches among school teams from various countries, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal.