Is BCCI giving 'too much' to Hardik Pandya? Irfan Pathan questions BCCI's selection criteria after Shreyas Iyer-Ishan Kishan omission

The BCCI recent decision to exclude Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from central contracts has sparked controversy, with former cricketer Irfan Pathan raising questions about potential double standards in player selection stating the example of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were dropped from the contracts due to their limited participation in domestic cricket despite being encouraged to do so by the board. However, some fans and experts, including Irfan Pathan, have pointed out the case of Hardik Pandya, who has been selective in his domestic and international commitments but remains a key figure in the national team.

Irfan Pathan Tweet:

Irfan Pathan took to Twitter, stating, “They are talented cricketers, both Shreyas and Ishan. Hoping they bounce back and come back stronger. 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!”

Fan Reactions:

Pathan’s tweet resonated with several fans who echoed concerns about alleged preferential treatment for certain players. Comments like “Exactly, BCCI gives too much to Hardik Pandya, why playing Ranji does not apply to that injury-prone Hardik Pandya?” and “Absolutely It should be equal for all. If Hardik has been exempted, then other players should be too! This is unfair from BCCI” reflect the widespread sentiment.

BCCI stance:

The BCCI has emphasized the importance of prioritizing domestic cricket for players outside of national team commitments. Their statement reads, “The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team.”

What’s up with Hardik Pandya?

Hardik Pandya’s absence from domestic red-ball cricket stems from a long-standing back issue that began in 2018. He last played a first-class match that year and hasn’t participated since due to concerns about managing the physical demands of Test cricket.

Surgery in 2020 and a subsequent year-long break further highlighted the need for careful management of his workload. While he has successfully returned to white-ball cricket and even captained the Indian T20I team, both Hardik Pandya and the BCCI likely understand the risks associated with adding the additional strain of Test matches.

But the question which experts like Irfan Pathan is asking is whether Hardik Pandya will play in white-ball domestic cricket when the all-rounder is not on international duty. And this will be very interesting development to watch out in the future.

Uncertainties Remain:

While the BCCI’s stance on domestic participation is clear, the alleged inconsistency in its application across players like Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer – Ishan Kishan raises questions about the selection criteria and potential double standards. This situation has ignited a debate within the Indian cricket community, and it remains to be seen if the BCCI will address these concerns in the future.