Former India captain Sourav Ganguly stated that he was surprised by Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan’s decision to not play in the Ranji Trophy tournament.
Ishan Kishan has been out of action since the South Africa tour last year, while Shreyas Iyer was dropped from the Indian team after two Tests of the ongoing series against England. Kishan had asked for a mental health break which the BCCI gave him.
But with the England Tests coming up, the board and the team management asked Kishan to play in the Ranji Trophy to become eligible for selection. But Kishan continued to ignore the diktat despite a stern warning from BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
Instead, Kishan went to Baroda to prepare for the IPL with his MI captain Hardik Pandya, and his brother Krunal Pandya. He was repeatedly asked to play for Jharkhand, but Kishan paid no heed and made his return in the DY Patil T20 Cup.
On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer had complained of back spasms after the second Test in Vizag. He was then asked to play for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, but Iyer excused that his back was still not ok. However, NCA medical head, Dr. Nitin Patel sent an email to the BCCI that Iyer was fit to resume cricket.
This has resulted in both Kishan and Iyer losing their central contracts in the latest list announced by the BCCI for 2023-24.
Sourav Ganguly shared his thoughts on BCCI terminating the contracts of both the cricketers.
“I think the BCCI wants them to play first-class cricket. I am surprised why Shreyas Iyer has not played Ranji Trophy. It is a premier tournament and you are supposed to play. So, it is a decision by BCCI and what they have thought right they have done. Every contracted cricketer must play first-class cricket because that is the basic premise of cricket in this country,” Ganguly told RevzSportz.
He was also asked about Ishan Kishan not playing in the Ranji Trophy.
Ganguly said: “You are supposed to play first-class cricket. Once you are a contracted player, you are expected to play in the Premier tournament. Shreyas Iyer is playing in the semi-final for Mumbai in a couple of days. Yes, they are young people and Ishan has surprised me. He was part of the Indian team in all formats. Such a big contract in IPL. I don’t know why he has done that. You must play especially when you are as gifted as Ishan Kishan. When you are playing for India in all formats, you must play. I was surprised by his decision not to.”
While Kishan is playing in the DY Patil T20 Cup, Iyer has made himself available for Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy semifinal against Tamil Nadu.
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