BCCI announced their 2023/24 annual player retainership contracts for the senior India men’s team yesterday (February 28). It caused a stir, particularly around the omissions of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan.
Iyer, who was a regular in India’s ODI team and the first-choice middle-order batsman in the Test team until last month, was not given a center contract. Similarly, Kishan, who is an integral part of India’s white-ball team and also made his Test debut for West Indies last year, was ignored.
The BCCI press release states, “Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan are not considered for annual contracts in this recommendation.”
Although there has been no official explanation for Iyer and Kishan’s inaction, it is widely understood that both were disciplined for not playing domestic cricket
Kishan had withdrawn from the South African tour in December last year citing “mental fatigue”. Although he has not been a part of the national team since then, he was seen training with Hardik Pandya during his absence from Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy matches.
Iyer, on the other hand, played in the first two Test matches of the series against England before being eliminated. He later missed the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals in Mumbai due to a back problem, but was reportedly treated by the BCCI medical team. Instead, Iyer said he was spotted in the KKR camp, which could have angered the powers that be within the BCCI.
India captain
Rohit Sharma spoke about identifying ‘hungry’ players after the Ranchi Test, two days before the central deal was announced. “This (Test cricket) is the most difficult format.” And if you want to be successful in this format, if you want to be great, it’s very important to have that hunger and that desire. Only those who are hungry have a chance. And it is clear which people are not hungry and do not want to be here. ”
Although he did not name names, there was speculation that his comments were directed at one or both of Kishan and Iyer. Their exclusion from the central contract list only increases this speculation. While some feel this is a step in the right direction as Indian cricket is prioritized, others feel that Iyer and Kishan have taken a big hit.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri has expressed his support for Iyer and Kishan, saying he has “no doubt” that they will “win again”. Citing the example of Hardik Pandya, Irfan Parsan said different rules should not be applied to different players while forcing them to participate in domestic cricket.
However, BCCI’s move to introduce fast bowling contracts was unanimously praised, with players like VVS Laxman, Ian Bishop, Harsha Bhogle and Shastri praising the move.
It’s great to see that commitment to represent the country in the largest format of the game and emphasis to keep oneself match ready by playing domestic cricket is being prioritised through the BCCI annual contracts.
A wonderful move too to award contracts to budding fast…– VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) 29. February 2024
My thoughts on the central contracts. This is a very strong message to players and puts Indian cricket at the forefront. If you have red ball ambition and want to play for India, you must go back and play domestic cricket if you are passed fit. I would like to see an equally…
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 29. February 2024
Just wondering 🤔
Did my this tweet has something to do with #BCCI started being serious about Ranji trophy 🏆 https://t.co/bgKl33w3cF– MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) 2 2024 February 2
Unbelievable!
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) 28. February 2024
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…
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) 29. February 2024
In the game of cricket, comebacks define the spirit. Chin-up, @ShreyasIyer15 and @ishankishan51! Dig deep, face challenges, and come back even stronger. Your past achievements speak volumes, and I have no doubt you’ll conquer once again.
– Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) 28. February 2024
Big applause to @BCCI and @JayShah for the game-changing move with ‘fast bowling’ contracts. A crucial step in gearing up for Down Under later this year. The emphasis on Test Cricket and Domestic Cricket is a powerful message, setting the right tone for the future of our beloved…
– Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) 28. February 2024
Very innovative move by India to give out fast-bowling contracts. I am a big fan of that, especially to see Umran Malik’s name in that list. Any team that wants to be globally competitive must procure and develop quality fast-bowlers.
– Ian Rafael Bishop (@irbishi) 28. February 2024
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.
