Ravi Shastri applauds BCCI's move and issues a strong message for Shreyas Iyer & Ishan Kishan.

Ravi Shastri applauds BCCI's move and issues a strong message for Shreyas Iyer & Ishan Kishan.

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian National Cricket Team and a Cricket commentator, issued a stern message for players like Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan post-BCCI axed them from the central contracts for the 2023-2024 season.

Out of the favourite batters, it is Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan who were shown the exit door by BCCI - Board of Control for Cricket in India for ignoring the highest cricket board authority's directive to feature in the Ranji Trophy on Wednesday. 

Ravi Shastri Praises Shah

The names of players like Iyer and Kishan were missing from the 30-player annual retainership list that the BCCI shared for the 2023-2024 season. With sentiments running high following the BCCI's announcement of the centrally-contracted players list, former Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri lavished praise on the BCCI's secretary, Jay Shah.

It is for the first time that BCCI revealed the list of the players who have been selected and received the fast bowling contracts. Fast bowling offers have been handed over to the Indian pacers since the year 2021-2022. The players who have been cut for the season include Akash Deep and Vijay Kumar Vishal. Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa. Shastri showed a welcoming attitude towards the game-changing move of BCCI and shared his opinion on X - formerly known as twitter. 

Ravi Shastri's Twitter Post

Ravi Shastri, in his post, said, "Big applause to @BCCI and @JayShah for the game-changing move with 'fast bowling' contracts. A crucial step in gearing up for Down Under later this year. The emphasis on Test Cricket and Domestic Cricket is a powerful message, setting the right tone for the future of our beloved sport!"

Not only did Shastri care to share his opinion, but he backed Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan to come back stronger post their unceremonious existence from the central contracts list. 

Ravi Shastri's message for Iyer & Kishan

"In the game of cricket, comebacks define the spirit. Chin-up, @ShreyasIyer15 and @ishankishan51! Dig deep, face challenges, and come back even stronger. Your past achievements speak volumes, and I have no doubt you'll conquer once again," Shastri added.

Iyer's Position 

Mumbai-based player Shreyas Iyer will be seen leading the team KKR - Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 season of IPL - the Indian Premier League. Back in the year 2023, Iyer was India's star performer in the ICC World Cup 2023. This Mumbai Batter missed out on his Grade B contract post being released from India's test squad for the England series. 

Kishan's Status 

Ishan Kishan, the Mumbai Indians opener, had been given a Grade C contract last year. Kishan received a personal break from the BCCI board when India had toured SA - South Africa. Kishan was last seen playing for India in November last year. However, this wicketkeeper batter showed up to play the DY Patil T20 cup in Mumbai. This 25-year-old player did not play for Jharkhand throughout the Ranji season. His former India teammate Iyer had been ruled out of Mumbai's Ranji quarter-final against Baroda. It was Mumbai's semi-final clash against Tamil Nadu, and Iyer had made himself available. 

BCCI's Strict Directive 

Sharing the media advisory ahead of the 5th and the final test against England, BCCI suggested all the Indian players only represent their domestic teams when they are not on national duty. "Please note that Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations," the BCCI said in a statement. "The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team," the apex board added.

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