Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer recent omissions from the BCCI’s annual contracts list have sparked discussions. Official explanations reveal a clear message: commitment to domestic cricket is key to national team selection and central contracts.
MIA: Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan
Both players were absent during crucial periods. Ishan Kishan took a personal leave during the South Africa tour, returning only for the DY Patil T20 tournament recently. Shreyas Iyer, cleared fit by the NCA, opted out of India and Mumbai selection for a week following.
Prioritizing domestic cricket:
The BCCI emphasized prioritizing domestic cricket through its contract announcement and secretary Jay Shah’s letter to players, warning against prioritizing the IPL. Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, echoed this sentiment, stating that “hunger” for Test cricket will be crucial in future selections.
Ishan Kishan case:
Coach Rahul Dravid revealed Kishan hadn’t made himself available for selection and needed domestic cricket exposure before a comeback. ESPNcricinfo reports that despite team management reaching out during the England series, Ishan Kishan wasn’t ready, leading to Dhruv Jurel’s successful debut.
Shreyas Iyer situation:
Reports suggest Shreyas Iyer expressed discomfort during long innings after the second Test but received a clean bill of health from the NCA. When left out of subsequent Tests and the Ranji match, the BCCI remained silent. Mumbai sources cited “back spasms” for Iyer’s absence.
Training During Key Periods:
Adding fuel to the fire, ESPNcricinfo learned that the selectors disapproved of Kishan training with IPL captain Hardik Pandya during his break and Iyer’s presence at the KKR camp while missing the Ranji match.
BCCI stance:
A BCCI official, speaking anonymously to ESPNcricinfo, highlighted the central question: “If the NCA says you’re fit and you’re not playing Tests, how can the BCCI offer a contract?” The official clarified that while their abilities are not questioned, their non-participation raises concerns.
If they regain form and fulfill pro-rata match criteria, they might receive contracts after the IPL.
A Strong Message Sent:
Despite their talent, Kishan and Iyer’s choices sent a clear message to the BCCI. While the “severe implications” mentioned by Shah were previously unclear, the exclusion from contracts serves as a tangible consequence for prioritizing non-national commitments. This move underscores the BCCI’s effort to address the potential conflict between domestic cricket and other tournaments.
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