Cricket

Shreyas Iyer's omission from the BCCI's central contract list has sparked controversy, with many questioning the decision to exclude the talented batsman. Iyer's recent performance in the Ranji Trophy semi-final, where he scored just 3 runs before being dismissed, has further fueled the debate.Iyer's absence from the central contract list has been attributed to his alleged prioritization of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic red-ball cricket. Reports suggest that Iyer attended a pre-IPL camp with his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, while claiming to have a back injury that prevented him from playing in a Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai.However, a report by The Indian Express revealed that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) provided a contradictory fitness report on Iyer, casting doubt on the validity of his injury claim. This has led to speculation that Iyer's exclusion from the central contract list may have been influenced by his perceived lack of commitment to domestic cricket.Iyer's supporters argue that he has consistently performed well for India and Mumbai, and that his decision to attend the KKR camp was solely to improve his fitness. They point out that Iyer skipped the IPL to participate in the World Cup and played through pain during the tournament.Furthermore, they argue that players should have the freedom to train under coaches of their choice and that Iyer's decision to work with the KKR Academy should not be held against him. They also question why Iyer was not given a break after the World Cup and was asked to play in a Ranji game ahead of the Test series against England.The BCCI's decision to exclude Iyer from the central contract list has sent a strong message to young cricketers that they must prioritize domestic cricket over the IPL. However, it remains to be seen whether this decision will have the desired effect or if it will simply alienate talented players who feel they are not being treated fairly.

IPL Career Can Coexist with First-Class Cricket, Says Sourav GangulyFormer Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has asserted that players can successfully balance Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments with first-class cricket. This statement comes amidst the controversy surrounding the BCCI's decision not to offer central contracts to Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan due to their non-participation in domestic cricket.Ganguly emphasized that numerous top players, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and David Warner, have effectively managed both red-ball and white-ball cricket. He recalled that during his playing days, he, Rahul Dravid, and Sachin Tendulkar also played both formats."They can play both red-ball and white-ball. IPL career can happen along with stint in first-class cricket. They don't clash. First-class cricket finishes and then there's almost a month before the IPL starts. I don't see any problem," Ganguly told Times of India.Ganguly cited examples of players like Mitchell Marsh, Harry Brook, and David Warner who have excelled in both Test cricket and white-ball cricket. He questioned the notion that players cannot play both formats."A lot of the top-quality players play Test cricket and white-ball cricket. You look at Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. On the world stage, there's Mitchell Marsh. He is Australia's premier red-ball player now. Harry Brook plays red-ball cricket. David Warner played so much Test cricket but he was also one of the best white-ball players. Even in my days, Sachin, Rahul and myself played Test cricket and then played white-ball cricket. There's no reason to say that you can play one and not the other."Ganguly also addressed concerns about the younger generation of players needing better guidance. He suggested that the BCCI should communicate with players like Ishan Kishan to understand their perspectives."For someone like Ishan Kishan, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, president Roger Binny and the selectors need to speak to him. All this while he has played Ranji and then played white-ball cricket. Has it made him a poorer player? It hasn't," Ganguly said.Ganguly emphasized that most players selected for the Delhi Capitals have participated in domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Ranji Trophy. He acknowledged that there may be a few exceptions who require guidance.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to drop Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from its central contract list has sparked a global debate. While some have criticized the board for its harsh action, others have supported its stance.Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has backed the BCCI, stating that such a move was necessary to punish the players for ignoring the board's orders. Akmal believes that by dropping Kishan and Iyer, the BCCI has demonstrated its "good management.""If you don't value the cricket because of which you made it to the national team, what message is it going to give to all the youngsters?" Akmal said on his YouTube channel. "BCCI has made the right call, taking such strict action early on to control the damage."Akmal added that the BCCI's decision sends a clear message to players that they cannot play on their own terms. "Nobody is bigger than the game," he said.Kishan and Iyer were reportedly reluctant to play in national-level domestic tournaments, which is believed to be the reason for their exclusion. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who is also a former BCCI president, has urged the board to speak to Kishan about his decision."All this while he has played Ranji and then played white-ball cricket. Has it made him a poorer player? It hasn't," Ganguly said. "All the players picked in Delhi Capitals have played Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Ranji Trophy."Ganguly's comments suggest that the BCCI may be willing to reconsider its decision if Kishan and Iyer show a willingness to play in domestic tournaments. However, it remains to be seen whether the players will change their stance.

Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane has expressed confidence in Shreyas Iyer's ability to perform in the upcoming Ranji Trophy semifinal against Tamil Nadu, despite the batter's recent struggles. Rahane believes Iyer's experience and contributions to Mumbai make him a valuable asset to the team."We all know he is an experienced player. His contribution for Mumbai has been amazing. Whenever he stands up for Mumbai, he has done really well, so I don't think he needs any encouragement or any advice," Rahane said.Iyer will be eager to help Mumbai reach the final, especially against a Tamil Nadu team that includes his India teammate R. Sai Kishore. Kishore is delighted to have B. Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar back in the squad, as their experience and talent will boost the team's chances."Those two have worked hard in domestic and have gone there, they realize how important it is to show up here. We have played together for so many years and happy that they are in the team," Kishore said.Former Mumbai stalwart Sulakshan Kulkarni, who is now the Tamil Nadu head coach, believes his intimate knowledge of Mumbai cricket will give his team an advantage."I have told my squad that Mumbai cricket is on my fingertips. I know each and every (player's) positives and negatives," Kulkarni said.However, Mumbai head coach Omkar Salvi, who also learned the basics at Kulkarni's clinic, emphasized that proximity will not affect the team's focus during the semifinal."I have fond memories of playing under him in under-19. But, right now he is in the opposition dressing room. We will maintain distance for the next five days," Rahane said.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, two prominent Indian cricketers, have been excluded from the latest BCCI contracts, sparking speculation and debate. The duo's omission has been interpreted as a stern message from the cricket governing body to players who prioritize franchise cricket over domestic commitments.Ishan Kishan, who took a break from India's tour of South Africa, has been practicing in Baroda instead of representing his state Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, claimed an injury prevented him from playing for Mumbai in the same tournament. However, reports suggest that the NCA's assessment contradicts Iyer's claim.The BCCI's decision to exclude Iyer and Kishan from the annual contract list has raised eyebrows. "Please note that Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations," the BCCI stated in a release.The BCCI has emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for players who are not representing the national team. "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 release added.Despite their exclusion, there is still a possibility that Iyer and Kishan could earn BCCI contracts in the future. "The selectors don't doubt their ability," a BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo. "But if the NCA is saying you are fit and you are not making yourself available for the Test series, how can the BCCI offer you a contract?"The BCCI release outlines the criteria for pro-rata contracts: "Athletes who meet the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests or 8 ODIs or 10 T20Is within the specified period will automatically be included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis." The specified period is from October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024.The exclusion of Iyer and Kishan serves as a reminder of the BCCI's commitment to domestic cricket and its expectation that players prioritize it over franchise commitments. The duo's future with the national team remains uncertain, but they have an opportunity to earn contracts by fulfilling the criteria outlined by the BCCI.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced its new central contracts, sparking debate over the inclusion of Hardik Pandya and the exclusion of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. Former India opener Aakash Chopra has defended the BCCI's decision, arguing that Pandya's case is distinct from that of Kishan and Iyer.Pandya, who has not played international cricket since the ODI World Cup 2023 due to an ankle injury, was awarded a Grade A contract. Kishan and Iyer, on the other hand, were not included in the list for not participating in domestic cricket.Chopra emphasized that Pandya cannot be penalized for not playing first-class cricket because he is not vying for a spot in India's Test squad. "He is not playing red-ball cricket. That ambition or aspiration does not exist anymore," Chopra said.Chopra also highlighted Pandya's unavailability from both domestic and international cricket, explaining that he never missed a game like Kishan and Iyer. "He got injured during the World Cup, that was October-November," Chopra explained. "He was playing in the World Cup for India at that time."Pandya recently returned to competitive cricket at the DY Patil T20 Cup, leading the Reliance 1 team. He picked up 2 for 22 against Bharat Petroleum.Chopra's analysis suggests that the BCCI's decision to award Pandya a central contract is justified, given his unique circumstances and his continued value to the Indian team.

The Ranji Trophy semifinals are set to ignite with a tantalizing clash between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, two cricketing powerhouses with a rich history. While the absence of star players has garnered attention, the presence of several notable figures has elevated the anticipation for this marquee matchup.Tamil Nadu, after a sluggish start to the season, has found its rhythm and received a significant boost with the addition of B. Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar. Sai Sudharsan, who recently completed rehabilitation for a back injury, joined the squad on Thursday, while Sundar arrived after being released from India's Test squad. The duo engaged in an extensive training session on Friday morning.Mumbai, on the other hand, also had a lengthy practice session. Shreyas Iyer, who missed the quarterfinal against Baroda and was omitted from the BCCI's central contracts list, will be under scrutiny. The aggressive batter had a lengthy batting stint in the nets on Thursday but took it easy on Friday. Iyer will replace Suryansh Shedge in the Mumbai lineup.Mumbai may consider bringing in wicketkeeper Prasad Pawar for opener Bhupen Lalwani. Hardik Tamore, despite his impressive batting performance in the quarterfinal, struggled behind the stumps, prompting Mumbai to consider bolstering its depth.Tamil Nadu, besides the inclusion of Sai Sudharsan and Sundar, may also field pacer Kuldeep Sen in place of M. Mohammed. The green-looking surface at the Bandra-Kurla Complex facility could favor Sen's pace, complementing captain R. Sai Kishore's skillful left-arm spin.

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarter-final aspirations have been dealt a significant blow with the news that key players Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube will miss the crucial knockout match due to injuries. Iyer, who has been battling back spasms, will be sidelined, while Dube is out with a side strain.Iyer's absence is particularly disappointing, given his impressive form in recent months. The talented batsman had a strong showing in the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup, amassing 530 runs in the latter tournament with an impressive average of 66.25. He also made a solid start to the Ranji Trophy season, scoring 91 runs in his only appearance.Dube, on the other hand, has been a revelation for Mumbai this season, striking two centuries and two half-centuries in his six Ranji innings. His aggressive batting style has been a major factor in Mumbai's success, and his absence will be keenly felt.The injuries to Iyer and Dube have left Mumbai with a depleted squad for the quarter-final against Baroda, starting on February 23. The team will be led by Ajinkya Rahane, with Prithvi Shaw, Shardul Thakur, and Dhawal Kulkarni as the other experienced players in the side.However, the absence of Iyer and Dube will undoubtedly weaken Mumbai's chances of progressing to the semi-finals. The team will need to find a way to compensate for the loss of their two key players if they are to maintain their title challenge.