We keep hearing about how important the IPL is for Indian cricket and for nurturing Indian talent. Yards of column space have been devoted to how the tournament enables young Indian cricketers to rub shoulders with the best of the world.

Well, if it is that important, why has the Indian cricket team for the 2020 World Cup been announced midway through the tournament?

It is clear that the Indian selectors attach no importance to performances in the IPL – a shocking approach, considering the fact that India has no proper domestic 2020 tournament in place. The haste to announce the squad is also difficult to understand, considering the fact that there are several matches left in the IPL, which could expose several of the selected players to injury. The early announcement of the Indian team will also have had an adverse impact on the motivation of the players who did not make it to the squad – not something you want to do to aspiring talent.

Surely it would have made better sense to announce the squad after the league phase of the tournament. But then, the Indian selection committee has not been known for its wisdom, has it?