BCCI announced the annual central contracts for the senior men’s team for the 2023-24 season on Wednesday, February 28th. In a notable move, the board excluded Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the list, despite both players featuring in India’s ODI World Cup campaign last year.
While Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja retained their spots in the top bracket (A+), Kishan and Iyer were not considered for renewal of their contracts. This decision comes after both players missed a significant portion of the ongoing domestic season, reportedly against the BCCI’s directives.
While the official statement only mentioned that Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer “were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations,” media reports suggest their absence from domestic matches played a role in the BCCI’s decision. Kishan was part of Grade C contracts in the previous year, while Iyer belonged to Grade B.
Lack of Commitment Towards Test Cricket
The termination of their central contracts highlights the BCCI’s stance on players’ commitment to domestic cricket. Both Iyer and Kishan have not participated in the Ranji Trophy, which has raised concerns about their dedication to the longer format of the game.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s Support to BCCI Decision
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has welcomed the BCCI’s decision. He believes that players should prioritize domestic cricket, especially when they are not part of the national team.
This development has sparked discussions about the BCCI’s selection criteria and the importance of first-class cricket for national team aspirations. Some view it as a message to young players about prioritizing domestic performances, while others raise questions about the balance between workload management and commitment to national duty.
While the termination of central contracts is a stern message from the BCCI, it also emphasizes the importance of domestic cricket in nurturing talent and maintaining a strong player pool for international cricket.
As the cricketing world watches closely, questions arise about the future of these talented players. Will they recommit to domestic cricket and earn their way back into the national team? Only time will tell.
