Indian cricketers Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan could be staring down the barrel of losing their coveted BCCI central contracts due to their absence from the ongoing Ranji Trophy. This news comes amidst the BCCI’s recent emphasis on mandatory domestic cricket participation for centrally contracted players.
BCCI’s Diktat: Domestic Cricket or Lose the Contract
The BCCI, led by Secretary Jay Shah, has made it clear that playing domestic cricket is mandatory for centrally contracted and India A players unless they are part of the national team. This directive aims to maintain player fitness and form while providing opportunities in the domestic circuit.
Ishan Kishan, who has been on a personal break since leaving the South Africa tour due to mental fatigue, hasn’t played for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, missed Mumbai’s final league match and the ongoing quarter-final citing a back spasm. However, the situation surrounding Iyer’s absence has become murkier.
While Iyer claimed a back issue, the Head of Sports Science and Medicine at the National Cricket Academy, Nitin Patel, informed the BCCI and selectors through an email that Iyer was fit to play. This discrepancy has raised questions about the true reason behind his absence. Additionally, sources suggest that Iyer’s recent Test team omission was a precautionary measure, not related to his back issue.
Consequences of Skipping Ranji Trophy
Jay Shah’s warning about non-participation in the Ranji Trophy holds significant weight. Sources suggest that both Iyer and Kishan are likely to be excluded from the upcoming list of centrally contracted players due to their absence. This could have significant financial implications, as Iyer earns INR 3 Crore annually in Grade B, and Kishan earns INR 1 Crore in Grade C.
With the BCCI taking a strict stance on domestic cricket participation, it remains to be seen if Iyer and Kishan will take the field in the remaining Ranji Trophy matches or face potential exclusion from the central contracts list. Their decisions will be closely watched by fans and cricket officials alike.
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