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• 05/10/2024
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The decision to drop India players Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from this year’s BCCI central contracts was taken by the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has clarified. Shah stated that his role as the convener was to implement the decision made by Agarkar, and the selection committee’s decision was not made lightly.

Background of the Decision

In February 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) terminated the central contracts of Kishan and Iyer. This move was made as part of a broader crackdown on players who were skipping domestic cricket.

Kishan last played in a T20 International for India in November 2023 and subsequently took a break from cricket, skipping the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season. Meanwhile, Iyer had been a regular fixture across all formats but did not play in Mumbai’s quarterfinal clash against Baroda. He eventually participated in the Ranji semifinal and final.

Jay Shah said, "Ajit Agarkar decided to remove Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the central contract. I am just a convener. My role is to implement. And we have got new players in place, like Sanju Samson. Nobody is indispensable". pic.twitter.com/hsSYNqcXFz

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 10, 2024

Shah emphasised that the decision to remove Kishan and Iyer from the central contracts list was entirely Agarkar’s. “That decision lies with Ajit Agarkar,” Shah stated. “Even when these two players [Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer] who did not play domestic [cricket], the decision to drop them [from the central contracts list] was only his.”

Implementation and Conversations with Players

As the BCCI secretary, Shah was responsible for implementing Agarkar’s decision. He also revealed that he had spoken to both Kishan and Iyer after their exclusion from the central contracts list. “Yes, I had spoken with them. Media had even carried the reports,” Shah confirmed.

The BCCI has brought in new players, such as Sanju Samson, to fill the void left by Kishan and Iyer’s exclusion. Shah concluded his comments by stating that “nobody is indispensable” in the context of Indian cricket.

Also read Indian Squad for T20 World Cup Announced: In From Rishabh Pant, Dube, Samson Earn a Spot

The decision to drop Kishan and Iyer from the central contracts list signifies a focus on ensuring players maintain consistent international and domestic performances. As Indian cricket continues to evolve, decisions such as this may become more common as part of efforts to uphold high standards and promote excellence.