The day is not far when Shane Warne emerges season's leading wicket-taker or Brian Lara the highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has radical plans to allow participation of overseas players in major domestic tournaments including the Ranji and Duleep trophies on the lines of the English county championship.
"We want to bring in foreign players to play some of the Ranji Trophy matches," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah told reporters in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
"We want to generate interest among the masses regarding Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy. We wish that more and more people go to watch these matches."
Shah also said there are plans to introduce coloured clothing and white Kookaburra balls in the Duleep Trophy.
The subject of international stars playing in the Ranji Trophy surfaced when Maharashtra Cricket Association chief Ajay Shirke reportedly said two days ago that the MCA is planning to bring in a few Australian cricketers including Warne, world's leading bowler with 685 scalps, in order to prop up the state team's prospects.
BCCI president Sharad Pawar had said on Saturday that Ranji Trophy rules did not allow for the participation of overseas players but Shah clarified that "provisions to play foreign players already exist."
In fact, England's charismatic batsman Denis Compton and West Indian pacer Roy Gilchrist had played in the Ranji Trophy in the past.
"Today most of the associations have money and they can afford to bring in players [from other countries]," Shah said.
"We are open on this matter. This will generate interest and people will go and watch local Ranji matches."
