Out-of-favor batters Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were shown the exit door by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for ignoring the apex cricket board’s directive to feature in the Ranji Trophy on Wednesday. Shreyas Iyer and Kishan’s names went missing from the 30-player annual retainership list shared by the BCCI for the 2023-2024 season. With opinions taking flight after BCCI unveiled the list of centrally-contracted players.
For the first time, the BCCI who received the fast bowling contracts. The selection committee has been handing out fast-bowling offers to Indian pacers since the 2021-2022. Speedsters Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa have made the cut for the season.
Shreyas Iyer to participate in Ranji Trophy semifinal vs Tamil Nadu
The BCCI’s decision to exclude Kishan and Iyer from the central contracts is yet another major step from the board towards marking the importance of participation in domestic competitions for Indian cricketers. Despite the allure of lucrative franchise leagues like the IPL, the board had been emphasizing the significance of representing one’s state team in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
Shreyas Iyer will be participating in domestic cricket. Under scrutiny for his absence in Mumbai’s just-concluded quarterfinal against Baroda, the India middle-order batter has been named in the squad for the semifinal, scheduled to take place in Mumbai from March 2. Mumbai are set to face Tamil Nadu in the last-four clash.
Iyer’s return to domestic cricket may address some criticisms levelled against him for allegedly neglecting domestic cricket despite being declared fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Iyer’s return for the semi-final against Tamil Nadu allays any fears over recurring injury concerns. He missed the entire IPL last year and subsequently underwent back surgery .
Shreyas Iyer returned to the ODI set up ahead of the Asia Cup and was a key member of India’s World Cup side that finished runners-up. Iyer made 530 runs in 11 innings, including two centuries and three half-centuries. He is set to lead Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, where he will team up with Chandrakant Pandit for the first time since he came on board as head coach. Knight Riders have also signed former captain Gautam Gambhir as a team mentor
Shreyas Iyer is an experienced player- Ajinkya Rahane
Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane has shared excitement over the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer in the squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024 semi-final against Tamil Nadu. Rahane pointed out how Iyer has been a proven performer for the side in domestic cricket over the years. Suggesting that the right-handed batter doesn’t need any encouragement or advice, the Mumbai skipper said during a media interaction:
It is worth mentioning that Shreyas Iyer was part of Mumbai’s playing XI for their clash against Andhra earlier this season. He scored a run-a-ball 48 in the first innings. Iyer has been under scanner following a string of poor performances in Test cricket. His last half-century in the format came against Bangladesh in 2022.
Shreyas Iyer registered scores of 35, 13, 27, and 29 in the first two Tests of India’s ongoing five-match home series against England before being unceremoniously dropped from the squad and would be looking for a great game in the semifinal before taking on Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024.