“How Can BCCI Offer You Contract?”: Report On Why Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer Were Axed

Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer missed out of Indian men’s cricket team central contracts, which were announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday. BCCI said that they didn’t consider Kishan and Iyer for the annual player retainership 2023-24, but didn’t specify the reason. For the unversed, Kishan took a break from cricket for personal reasons during the South Africa tour. He was then overlooked for selection during the Afghanistan T20Is, as well as the ongoing Test bilateral against England.

Iyer, on the other hand, played the first two games against England, before being dropped from the squad for the second part of the series, with no communication from the BCCI either.

He was declared fit by the NCA, having complained of back stiffness, but did not play for either India or Mumbai in Ranji Trophy.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah had also penned a letter to the centrally contracted players, warning them to not prioritise the IPL over domestic cricket and national duties.

Shah, in his letter, mentioned that the players who are not following the BCCI’s directives will face “severe implications”.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Kishan and Iyer’s contracts were not retained as the selectors, who make recommendations for the same, were not pleased with the duo skipping domestic games.

“The selectors were not pleased that Kishan used this time away from the game to train with his IPL captain Hardik Pandya in Baroda, and that Iyer was at Kolkata Knight Riders’ pre-season camp when missing the match for Mumbai. Iyer has since made himself available for Mumbai’s semi-final match in the Ranji Trophy,” the report said.

“The selectors don’t doubt their ability. But if the NCA is saying you are fit and you are not making yourself available for the Test series, how can the BCCI offer you a contract?,” a BCCI source told ESPNcricinfo.

The report also claimed if Kishan and Iyer fulfil the criteria of selection after the IPL, the BCCI will be awarded a “pro-rata” contract.

“After the IPL, if they happen to get selected and fulfil the criteria of the number of matches required for a pro-rata contract, they will be awarded a contract.”