Former India batsman Manoj Tiwary has backed the BCCI’s decision to withhold central contracts from Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan due to their absence from Ranji Trophy matches, despite criticism from some quarters.
On Wednesday (February 28), the BCCI revealed its list of centrally contracted players. Interestingly, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer weren’t even under consideration for the contracts, with the board emphasizing the importance of prioritizing domestic cricket for players.
“The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team,” BCCI said in a statement.
Kishan and Iyer missed out on central contracts because they didn’t participate in the Ranji Trophy after being left out of the team. Kishan took a break before the South Africa Test series and wasn’t considered for the T20I series against Afghanistan and England. Coach Rahul Dravid mentioned that to get back in contention, Kishan needs to play domestic matches.
Iyer was advised to participate in the Ranji Trophy matches after being excluded from the Test squad for the last three games against England. Despite this, he chose not to play, claiming a back injury. However, the BCCI’s medical team confirmed that he was fit to play.
Manoj Tiwary Backs BCCI For Terminating Ishan And Shreyas Central Contracts
Manoj Tiwary expressed that although excluding Iyer and Kishan from the central contract list might have been unnecessary, the decision sends a crucial message to players. He emphasized the importance of conveying this message to uphold the integrity of domestic cricket. Tiwary also mentioned his intention to communicate these concerns to the BCCI through a letter.
Speaking to Sports Now, Manoj Tiwary said: “See, removing players from central contracts could have been avoided, though I don’t know what conversation they had in between. But now it is an open message to all that if players are available, they have to play domestic cricket, and that is how you have to protect this tournament. That is what I also said in my tweet,”
He added: “Now everyone should fall in place, not one or two individuals. The rule has to be equal for all. Many other things need to be looked at, and in time, I’ll write a letter to BCCI to highlight those areas,,”
Furthermore, Manoj Tiwary, who recently retired from first-class cricket, highlighted a concerning trend where players prioritize the IPL over domestic games. He observed that once players secure IPL contracts, their focus shifts primarily to the lucrative league. Tiwary lamented that this often results in players not giving their best effort in domestic matches, as they aim to preserve themselves for the IPL. Manoj said:
“I have seen youngsters and established players speak only about IPL during domestic matches. Even in the zonal matches, when I used to play, their discussions are entirely based on IPL, and that I have seen from close quarters. The conversations, topics and issues mostly surrounded IPL only,”
“It is pretty natural once IPL contracts are given before the Ranji, it does affect someone – when you get 5 cr or 7 cr, players start thinking in their subconsciousness.”
“So when a Ranji match comes, they try to avoid the last bit of effort required to dive and save a
boundary that might have been crucial for the domestic tea. So most of the time, those have been left alone, avoided, and that is a fact.”
He added: “Then they try to find a reason, maybe a niggle. Earlier, what used to happen? Players turned up for their sides even while carrying an injury, but now they are trying to sit out the game and avoid the next couple of games. So these things are happening, and it is a fact but I do not blame the players outright; we are all equally guilty of it,”
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