5 Indian players who could benefit greatly from playing in the BBL

Whether it is because of something in their contracts or an unwillingness to go out and try new things, Indian players have never tried their hand at domestic tournaments outside of India.While the introduction of the Indian Premier League brought the best in the business to India, it is still on conditions where Indian players thrive. To truly improve, they need to get out more and ply their trade in unhelpful conditions.Big Bash League has established itself as the second-best domestic T20 tournament behind the IPL, so it should come as little surprise if Indian players benefit greatly if they played in the competition.Here are 5 Indian players who could benefit greatly if they played in the BBL.

#5 Robin Uthappa

BBL can provide the perfect platform for Uthappa’s second coming

If there is one thing that can be ascertained from looking at the current Indian side is their need for a wicket-keeper batsman. Not just in Tests, where MS Dhoni has retired, but also in the shorter formats, where Dhoni is unlikely to carry on playing for too much longer.

Although Robin Uthappa isn't anywhere near the Test side, he is on the fringes of the limited-overs set-up. Ever since changing his technique half a decade ago, Uthappa has been a batsman transformed as he has combined his big-hitting ability, which was always there with the ability to keep the scoreboard ticking.

As an opener, Uthappa's record in the IPL is incredibly good, but he is yet to test himself on uncharted waters and a stint with a BBL franchise will provide him with that opportunity and also provide the perfect platform for his return to the Indian side.

#4 Amit Mishra

Mishra can force his way back with a strong BBL performance

Given the success of Adil Rashid and the Australian batsmen's inability to pick him, it seems only logical that a more experienced, wily leg spinner will thrive in the BBL, with his bag of tricks. Amit Mishra's problem have never been form or even injuries, but an inability to get a run of games in the side.

Always the fall guy whenever someone needs to be dropped, Mishra has done more than enough to have played for India for more than just 56 times across all formats.

Nearly 500 first-class wickets, 200 List-A scalps and the second leading wicket-taker in the IPL should have counted for more but as that hasn't been the case, perhaps an impressive stint in the BBL and a bagful of wickets on unresponsive pitches might persuade the selectors to give him a longer rope, especially given he has always delivered when it matters most.

#3 Suresh Raina

Raina could do with a stint at the BBL to prove he isn’t just a flat-track bully

Despite seeming as though he has been around the Indian set-up forever, Suresh Raina is still only 29. He is also one of only 12 Indian players to have crossed the 200-game mark in ODIs, an incredible when you consider he has always had a short-ball problem.

As they say, the best way to tackle a problem is to face it head on and there is no better way to do it than by playing on fast, bouncy wickets in Australia and proving that he can indeed conquer his demons and find a way back into the Indian side.

Given India are currently a finisher short, they could certainly use rejuvenated Raina and playing in the BBL against some of the fastest bowlers in Australia could certainly help him get back to the player India need him to be.

#2 Irfan Pathan

Pathan can continue his renaissance in the BBL

Ever since making his names in the 2004 VB Series between Australia, Zimbabwe and India, Irfan Pathan's career has hit the giddy heights many expected it to, thanks to bad form and injuries. He was billed as the next Kapil Dev, but unfortunately his exploits so far haven't even been enough to suggest that he is the next Ajit Agarkar.

Since becoming Baroda's captain though it looks as though Irfan might have turned his career around. Still only 31, his international career is still not over, especially if he keeps up his current form that has guided Baroda to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. One thing that can help him tremendously is a stint with a BBL club.

Irfan came into the side as a swing bowler who could wield the willow with great effect but has since regressed. A stint in Australia, where can develop both as a bowler and increase his big-hitting ability instead of playing in front of non-existent crowds in domestic cricket would do himself and India a world of good.

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin can test himself on unresponsive pitches

After finishing 2015 as the leading wicket-taker in Tests and almost 90 wickets across all formats, Ashwin came into the ODI series against Australia high on confidence. But after two lacklustre performances, he was dropped for the third ODI, something that seemed unfathomable when he was running through the world No.1 Test side at the time.

Then again there has always been two sides to Ashwin's story. One in conducive conditions, where he is just unplayable and the other on flat tracks, where he undergoes a Jekyll-Hyde-esque transformation from being a monster into a mere mortal drained of all of his powers.

Although Ashwin is unlikely to be dropped for very long from the Indian side, perhpas he should just take a break and play in the BBL to test himself on flat tracks and prove that he isn't just a conducive-condition bully.