For years, Siddhesh Lad built a reputation as Mumbai cricket’s crisis man — the batter who repeatedly rescued the side from difficult situations and earned an India-A call-up at the peak of his career. Yet, the leap beyond never materialised.

When asked about the growing perception that a good show in the Indian Premier League matters more than consistent domestic performances, Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy captain did not mince words. “That’s the harsh reality,” Lad said on Thursday.

“I am not saying ‘pick me’ because I performed, but someone like Auqib Nabi was well deserving [of his spot]. If you perform consistently, win tournaments and still don’t get rewarded, players naturally start thinking differently.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the jersey launch of defending champion MSC Maratha Royals ahead of the T20 Mumbai League, Lad admitted that if he were advising young cricketers today, he would tell them to prioritise the shorter route.

“If a player performs well in T20 Mumbai and breaks into the IPL, there is a shortcut to Indian cricket now,” Lad said. “You can play Ranji Trophy for years, but one good IPL season can change everything. So yes, I would advise youngsters to keep that route in mind too.”

Lad felt that such a trend could devalue the prestige attached to the Ranji Trophy. “At the start, everyone says ‘perform in the Ranji Trophy and you will play for India’. But when selections happen, sometimes you see something different,” he said.

Despite acknowledging the changing landscape, Lad remains emotionally attached to long-format cricket.

“For me, red-ball cricket will always remain the priority,” he said. “The satisfaction you get from batting for a day, grinding through difficult situations and earning respect is different. T20 gives impact. Red-ball cricket gives you satisfaction and respect.”