The exclusion of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the BCCI’s latest annual contract list is attributed to their reluctance to participate in domestic cricket. Kishan trained with Hardik Pandya after taking a break but did not play in Ranji Trophy matches for Jharkhand. Similarly, Iyer skipped a Ranji Trophy game for Mumbai, citing being unfit, although a report in The Indian Express contradicted his claim based on the NCA report.
BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar Was ‘Furious’ With Shreyas Iyer For Attending KKR Camp
During this period, reports suggest that Iyer attended a pre-IPL camp organized by the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he serves as the captain. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar was reportedly upset upon learning about this, given Iyer’s complaint of a back problem. Notably, BCCI selectors make recommendations for the final contract list.
“Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations,” the BCCI said in its official release while announcing the Annual Player Contracts for Team India (Senior Men) for the 2023-24 season (October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024).
It added: “The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team,”
Shreyas Flopped On Ranji Trophy Return
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer’s much-awaited return to action, following his release from the Indian Test team and amid the ongoing BCCI contract saga, didn’t go as planned. In the Ranji Trophy semifinal match between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai, Iyer was dismissed for just three runs off eight balls.
Iyer came to bat after Sai Kishore dismissed Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane for 19 runs, continuing Rahane’s poor form in the tournament. Facing Tamil Nadu’s Sandeep Warrier, Iyer encountered an immediate challenge with a bouncer, as Tamil Nadu sought to exploit his vulnerability. In Warrier’s subsequent over, Iyer attempted to counterattack by charging down the track, but Warrier adjusted his length, leading Iyer to play onto his stumps.
