Mandeep Singh, a well-established domestic player with over a decade of experience, recently shared his views on how the dynamics of the game are changing and how the continuity is depending on a pretty contract in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mandeep has been a constant performer in the domestic circuit. and has stunned with his recent knock of an unbeaten 124 runs for Tripura against Services in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. However, in a recent interview with Indian Express, he candidly opined on the growing trend among domestic cricketers of retiring early or shifting to shorter leagues after failing to secure an IPL contract. He highlighted the harsh reality faced by many players who, without the lucrative IPL contracts, find their cricketing careers stagnating. According to Mandeep, the IPL has become a pivotal factor in a player's success. Without it, sustaining a career in domestic cricket can become increasingly difficult. He pointed out that several players are now opting for leagues where they can earn substantial amounts in just a few weeks, which has led many to retire early or transition to these shorter formats. In the interview, he said, “I guess the IPL is a big factor. If you don’t have an IPL contract, your cricket career is virtually over. There are leagues for retired players where you can earn good money for 15-20-day tournaments. If you have played for India, you can easily make Rs 1 crore in a year. Maybe it is one of the reasons, or maybe the fire is not in them anymore." Read also: Riyan Parag Set to Lead Assam in Crucial Ranji Trophy Match Mandeep Singh, the lost player Earlier, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh too questioned the credibility of domestic cricket after Karun Nair was not selected in the Champions Trophy, despite smacking 5 centuries in seven matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. And now Mandeep too is questioning the relevance, calling the apparent importance of domestic cricket when its IPL not only gives revenue but also necessary exposure to sustain in international cricket. Mandeep, who was snubbed by IPL franchises in the last two auctions, made his last appearance in the 2023 season for KKR, scoring in double digits during a loss to the Delhi Capitals. Mandeep made his first T20I appearance for India in 2016, scoring 87 runs in three innings, including an unbeaten half-century. In first-class cricket, he has scored 6,855 runs in 104 matches with 16 centuries and 38 fifties, averaging nearly 50. Despite being left out of Punjab's white-ball plans, Mandeep remains determined and continues to shine with stellar performances, averaging over 100 in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. Drawing inspiration from players like Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal, Mandeep remains hopeful of making a comeback to the national team.