"People in India consider IPL bigger" - When Gautam Gambhir opined that first-class cricket should be the yardstick to judge youngsters

There was a time in Indian cricket when domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy were considered the supply line for the national team. However, with the growing popularity of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a lot of players are getting picked for international cricket on the basis of their performance in the T20 league.

If we look at the current Indian Test squad, which is in Australia, pacer Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy were picked despite their lack of experience in first-class cricket. Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir is said to have played a key role in the selection of the two youngsters.

Incidentally, back in 2015, the former India batter had opined that performances in first-class cricket must be considered as the yardstick to judge players. He commented (as quoted by PTI):

"I feel if you really want to see a young talent, you should see him in first-class cricket and your first-class cricket should be given more importance than IPL," he said. "People in India consider IPL bigger than first-class cricket but I think the first-class cricket of any country should be far more important than the IPL because in the T20 format it is very difficult to judge a young batsman."

While praising the IPL as a great opportunity for players to display their talent, he added that actual technique could only be tested in first-class cricket.

"It is going to be unfair because there are going to be times when there are not going to be enough opportunities for a young talent. Obviously, IPL is a great opportunity. When you play at this stage and under this pressure you end up getting your temperament right. Your mental toughness can be tested in this tournament, but your actual technique can be tested only in first-class cricket," the 43-year-old had commented.

Speaking of the newcomers in the current Indian Test squad, Harshit has played 12 first-class matches, while Reddy is featuring in his 27th game.

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What is Gautam Gambhir's record in first-class cricket?

A former captain of the Delhi domestic team, Gambhir played 198 first-class games from 1999-00 to 2018, amassing 15,153 runs at an average of 49.35, with 43, 68 fifties and a best of 233*. The southpaw also featured in 299 List A games and scored over 10,000 runs at an average of 36.91, with 21 tons to his name.