NEW DELHI - The Indian cricket board's technical committee recommended yesterday that foreign players be barred from playing in domestic fixtures from this season.

NEW DELHI - The Indian cricket board's technical committee recommended yesterday that foreign players be barred from playing in domestic fixtures from this season.

"Foreign players should not be permitted to play in domestic tournaments from the 2009-10 season onwards," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said after its technical committee meeting.

The recommendation still has to be ratified by the BCCI's working committee. The board had earlier ruled that state teams could sign four outstation players, including one foreigner, for the five-day Ranji Trophy tournament.

Bangladeshi spinner Enamul Haque and England's Vikram Solanki and Kabir Ali featured in the trophy recently.

"Only three 'guest' players should be permitted in a state squad, as per rules," recommended the committee, headed by legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar. - Sapa-AFP