Hyderabad, Feb. 7 -- The BCCI dictat to all Test and international cricketers to take part in domestic Ranji trophy matches whenever they are not on national duty was widely welcomed by several leading names in Indian cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar welcomed the move and said that it should be a regular practice henceforth. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj stated that every player should represent their state in domestic cricket when the schedule allows for it.

The speedster's comments came after he stepped onto the field for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy tie against Vidarbha. This was the first time in five years that he played for his home state in a red-ball competition.

Ravichandran Ashwin also expressed his views about the move and said that it...