Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh came out in support of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan following their exclusion from the BCCI's central contracts list for the 2023–24 season.
Despite not being given the annual player contract by the BCCI in February, Harbhajan stressed that this setback does not mark the end of the road for the talented duo.
However, the former spinner noted that their inclusion in future series would depend on their form and the team's requirements.
Harbhajan Singh told Hindustan Times: “Every player is available for the selection process. Now whether they will be selected is a different aspect because it depends on their form and whether the team requires their services.”
He continued, “Just because they didn't get a contract, it doesn't mean it's the end of the road for them. It's a learning step for them. Whatever step was taken was for their betterment, that is how they should take it. I look at this in a rather constructive way because from here on, I feel they could emerge as better players.”
Harbhajan signed off by saying, “But we still do not know what was going on in their heads. They are both brilliant cricketers and I feel they will win a lot of matches for India in the future.”
However, the 2011 World Cup winner welcomed and lauded the BCCI’s decision to mandate playing domestic cricket for state teams when the players are not busy with international assignments.
