After opting out of domestic games, star India cricketers Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were axed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of the Annual Central Contracts on Wednesday. The BCCI, in an official release, confirmed that Ishan and Iyer were not considered for the central contracts, finalised for the duration between October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024. Kishan had opted out of the South Africa tour midway, citing fatigue. He was not selected for the Afghanistan T20Is and the ongoing Test series against England.
India head coach Rahul Dravid had urged Ishan Kishan to play Ranji Trophy, but the player paid no heed to it. After skipping Jharkhand’s Ranji games, Kishan was seen training with Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya in Baroda ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Iyer, on the other hand, played two Tests against England, but didn’t find a place in the squad for the last three matches. The batter informed his domestic side, Mumbai, that he is suffering from back pain, a statement which was denied by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) head of sports science Nitin Patel.
What next for Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer?
After being denied central contracts, can Kishan and Iyer still play for India? Yes! The selection of players in the Indian team is based on fitness and current form.
Even players who are not centrally contracted can be picked to represent India. For instance, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult had opted out of central contract last year, but represented the Blackcaps during the World Cup and other events.
The big names who have lost their contracts include Cheteshwar Pujara, Shikhar Dhawan, Umesh Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, who all have fallen out of favour with the selectors.
It signals the end of the road for the likes of Pujara but the 33-year-old Chahal can still make a case for himself if he plays more games.
The selection committee has also recommended fast bowling contracts for Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa. This system has been place since 2021-22 but it is for the first time that the BCCI has officially released names of the selected players.
Akash Deep had impressed on debut in the recent fourth Test against England, which India won to seal the series. He has been recommended for a fast bowling contract, alongside four other pacers, by the selection committee.
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