In a pivotal revelation about Indian cricket’s inner workings, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has disclosed crucial details regarding the exclusion of players Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from the central contracts list — a decision made by none other than the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar. The announcement has sent ripples across the cricketing fraternity as it puts to bed speculations about the reasons behind the players’ unexpected omission.
Speaking candidly during a media gathering at the BCCI headquarters, Shah laid bare the accountability of the selection process, distancing himself from the ultimate call and underscoring the autonomy granted to Agarkar in such matters. “You can check the constitution. I am just a convener (of the selection meeting),” Shah said, reinforcing the clarity of roles within the organization.
“The decision lies with Ajit Agarkar. The exclusion of these two players, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, who did not participate in domestic cricket, was solely his call,” Shah articulated. “My role is to implement the decisions made. In their stead, we have fresh talents stepping up, like Sanju Samson. It’s critical to understand that no individual is indispensable to the team,” he added, signaling a shift towards a performance and participation-based culture within Indian cricket.
The roots of this outcome trace back to the directives issued by the BCCI, which required players to feature in domestic matches. Both Kishan and Iyer, for different reasons, failed to fulfill these mandates. Kishan chose to extend his hiatus post the ODI World Cup last year, only returning to the public eye in the Indian Premier League (IPL). On the flip side, Iyer did make appearances for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, participating in milestone matches like the semifinal and final.
However, Iyer’s commitment to domestic cricket came under scrutiny when news broke of his choice to attend a pre-season camp for his IPL side, Kolkata Knight Riders, instead of playing a Ranji Trophy game, a move that did not sit well with the cricketing authorities.
In the build-up to what many perceive as a contract snub, Jay Shah was vocal about his solidarity with the chief selector’s hardline stance against players neglecting to meet the criteria established by the Indian captain and team management. Shah revealed that he had personally communicated with the omitted players to relay the gravity of the situation and the expectations of the board.
“Yes, I spoke with them,” Shah confirmed, referring to confirmations in media reports. “Even Hardik Pandya understood the board’s perspective. He expressed readiness to play tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, if considered for the white-ball format,” Shah stated. “It’s mandatory — players must partake in domestic cricket when called upon. Regardless of their personal wishes, this participation is non-negotiable,” he further emphasized.
This tough-love approach signifies the board’s steadfast resolution to uphold a meritocratic system wherein no laurels or reputations excuse players from contributing to the domestic cricket landscape. As the Indian team continues to nurture and unearth new talent, maintaining a strong domestic foundation is clearly reflective of a long-term strategic vision.
With such definitive statements made at the uppermost echelons of the BCCI, the message to players is crystalized: adherence to expectations and a commitment to domestic cricket’s prosperity remain quintessential to the sustenance of their illustrious careers under the aegis of the board. As the IPL unfolds, with records like Virat Kohli becoming the first batsman to achieve a certain landmark, the echelons of Indian cricket remain abuzz with talent, discipline, and the continuous evolution of standards governing the gentleman’s game.
