Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were left out of BCCI’s annual retainers as they were practically unavailable for national duty. Kishan took a hiatus during the South Africa tour, returning to action recently in the DY Patil T20 tournament. Iyer, though cleared fit by the NCA, didn’t feature for either India or Mumbai in the subsequent week following his clearance during the ongoing Test series selection.
BCCI’s View:
The recent BCCI contract announcement included a surprising directive urging athletes to prioritize domestic cricket over other commitments during non-national team periods. This contrasts with a prior letter from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to centrally contracted players, cautioning against prioritizing the IPL over national duties and domestic cricket. The letter underscored potential “severe implications” for neglecting these responsibilities, highlighting the board’s emphasis on the importance of balancing professional commitments in cricket.
Rohit Sharma’s Say:
Following the Ranchi Test against England, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma underscored the significance of hunger for Test cricket. He emphasized that players exhibiting this hunger would receive preference in the future. Sharma’s remarks reflect the team’s commitment to selecting individuals who are eager to excel in the challenging format, hinting at a strategic shift in the team’s selection criteria toward prioritizing the passion and drive for Test cricket.
Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer’s Absence:
Regarding Ishan Kishan’s exclusion from the Tests against England, Coach Rahul Dravid stated that Kishan had yet to make himself available and would need to play domestic cricket to stage a comeback. Despite attempts by the team management to reach out to him during the series, Kishan expressed his unpreparedness for selection.
In contrast, Shreyas Iyer’s absence appears to stem from a disagreement with the NCA’s fitness assessment. Although he reported back discomfort after the second Test, he was cleared of injury. However, subsequent non-appearance for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy match due to reported back spasms has raised questions.
Iyer and Kishan possess undeniable talent. India extended Iyer’s recovery time until the eleventh hour before the ODI World Cup. Kishan, an ODI double-centurion, briefly served as India’s Test wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence. However, his decision not to play for Jharkhand but prepare for the IPL, despite potential Test selection considerations, has raised concerns among selectors regarding his commitment.
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