Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan Dropped From BCCI Contracts: Ganguly and Others React

Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain, expressed astonishment at the absence of players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from domestic cricket after being excluded from the national team. Both players lost their central contracts with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to their non-participation in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, raising eyebrows in the cricket community.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan found themselves excluded from the BCCI’s annual retainers due to their unavailability for national duties. Kishan took a personal break during the South Africa tour, returning to action only recently in the DY Patil T20 tournament. On the other hand, Iyer, despite being declared fit by the NCA, did not play for either India or Mumbai in the subsequent week of the ongoing Test series.

The BCCI’s contract announcement emphasized the importance of prioritizing participation in domestic cricket during periods when players are not representing the national team. This directive followed a warning from BCCI secretary Jay Shah to centrally contracted players about not favoring the IPL over domestic and national commitments.

India captain Rohit Sharma also stressed the significance of players demonstrating a hunger for Test cricket. The exclusion of Kishan and Iyer seems to stem from their failure to align with the BCCI’s emphasis on participating in domestic cricket during breaks from international duties.

Kishan’s decision to train with IPL captain Hardik Pandya during his time away from the game and Iyer’s participation in Kolkata Knight Riders’ pre-season camp during a Ranji Trophy match further disappointed selectors. Despite acknowledging their talent, the BCCI made it clear that players must make themselves available for Test series to be considered for contracts.

While Iyer and Kishan possess undeniable skills, their actions have raised concerns about commitment to national responsibilities. The BCCI’s stance suggests a firm response to players prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket, aligning with the earlier warning of “severe implications” conveyed to the players by Jay Shah.

Irfan Khan Says

“If players like Hardik don’t want to play red ball cricket, should he and others like him participate in white-ball domestic cricket when they aren’t on national duty? If this doesn’t apply to all, then Indian cricket won’t achieve the desired results!,” Pathan said.
— IrfanPathan (@IrfanPathan)

Sanjay Manjrekar’s Post on X

Well done to @BCCI for rewarding players who want to play the tough cricket and only for one reason…to face the ‘acid test’ as cricketers.

Harsha Bhogle posted on X

My thoughts on the central contracts. This is a very strong message to players and puts Indian cricket at the forefront. If you have red ball ambition and want to play for India, you must go back and play domestic cricket if you are passed fit. I would like to see an equally strong stance taken at first class cricket level.

It is entirely possible that red ball cricket isn’t where you see your future or your joy. And that you want to be a purely white ball player; In which case, you must make it clear and play Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare for the state that nurtured you through age group cricket.

Both Shreyas and Ishan are very gifted players and I expect them to score a lot of runs and fight their way back into the national team. That is how bigger cricketers have done it, whether Ganguly or Laxman or Jadeja or Kumble. It won’t surprise me if Chahal forces his way into contention either.

I like the idea of fast bowling contracts. We have to look after them and there are so many exciting prospects.

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