Disregard Cricket’s “Basic Premise” in Order to Draw the BCCI’s Ire
Sourav Ganguly expressed his surprise at Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer’s absence from domestic matches.Former India captain Sourav Ganguly supports the BCCI’s decision to remove Shreyas Iyer and top player Ishan Kishan off central contracts. Since leaving the Test team during the December 2023 tour of South Africa, Kishan has not been in the game. However, despite complaining of back discomfort, Iyer was cleared to play by NCA and did not play for India or his home team, Mumbai. Although Kishan and Iyer’s central contracts were terminated, the BCCI did not give a rationale for the decision. However, rumors have it that the pick may have been made because of their lack of involvement in domestic cricket.
Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, had also written a letter to the players under central contract, cautioning them not to put Indian Premier League ahead of domestic cricket and national commitments.
In his letter, Shah stated that players who disobey the BCCI’s instructions will suffer “severe implications”.
Still, Kishan and Iyer failed to show up for their state teams. Prior to the 2024 Indian Premier League, Kishan was spotted training with Hardik and his brother Krunal Pandya.
Iyer did not play in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinals either, as he was allegedly at the training camp of the Kolkata Knight Riders before the 2024 Indian Premier League.
In addition to expressing his dismay at Kishan and Iyer’s absence from domestic matches, Ganguly supported the BCCI’s decision to bench both players.
They should play first-class cricket, I believe that the BCCI wants. The reason Shreyas Iyer hasn’t played in the Ranji Trophy is surprising to me. You should compete in this elite tournament. Hence, the BCCI made the choice and acted appropriately based on their logic. Because that is the fundamental tenet of cricket in this nation, every contracted cricket player must play first class cricket, Ganguly told news sources.
“You’re meant to play elite cricket. You are required to participate in the Premier competition once you have a contract. In a few days, Shreyas Iyer will represent Mumbai in the semi-final. Indeed, they are youthful individuals, and Ishan has taken me by surprise. In every format, he was a member of the Indian squad. An IPL contract that size. I am not sure why he took such action. When you are as talented as Ishan Kishan, you really must play. You have to play when you represent India in any format. “His decision not to surprised me,” the former captain of India continued.
