Decoding the Omission of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from BCCI Contract List: A Stance of Firmness by the Board?

"Why Were Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer Dropped from BCCI's Annual Player Contracts for Team India (Senior Men) for the 2023-24 Season?"

In a surprising move, two prominent players, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, were notably absent from the BCCI's Annual Player Contracts for Team India (Senior Men) for the 2023-24 season. Despite their recent involvement with the Indian cricket team, both players found themselves excluded from the contracts list, prompting speculation and scrutiny.

Ishan Kishan's Omission:

While the BCCI did not explicitly state the reasons behind the exclusion of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, a line in their release offers a significant clue. The BCCI emphasized the importance of participating in domestic cricket during periods when players are not representing the national team.

Ishan Kishan's absence from domestic cricket following his departure from India's Tour of South Africa raised eyebrows. Despite being advised by Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid to engage in domestic cricket to maintain his form and eligibility for the national team, Kishan opted to stay away from his state team, Jharkhand's Ranji Trophy matches. His return to competitive cricket was only witnessed recently at the DY Patil T20 Cup.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah had previously underscored the mandatory nature of playing red-ball cricket for centrally contracted players not in the national team, further highlighting Kishan's deviation from expectations.

Shreyas Iyer's Omission:

Shreyas Iyer's omission from the contracts list came amidst concerns over his form in Test cricket. After a lackluster performance in the first two Tests against England, he was dropped from the subsequent matches. Despite citing injury concerns and making himself unavailable for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarterfinals, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) reported no fresh injuries, indicating his fitness for selection.

BCCI's Firm Stance:

The exclusion of both players from the contracts list suggests that the BCCI is taking a firm stance to reinforce the importance of commitment to domestic cricket and maintaining form, especially for players aspiring to represent the national team. By sending a clear message through their actions, the BCCI aims to ensure that players prioritize their participation in domestic competitions to enhance their chances of national team selection.

Overall, the omission of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the contracts list signals the BCCI's resolve to uphold standards and expectations for players aspiring to don the national colors, emphasizing the significance of consistent performance and dedication to the sport at all levels.

File photo of Indian cricket team stars Sheryas Iyer and Ishan Kishan