The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made an announcement on Wednesday, February 28 regarding the annual retainership for the senior men’s cricket team for the 2023-24 cycle. Notably, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were omitted from the list of players receiving annual retainership contracts, despite their participation in India’s ODI World Cup campaign the previous year.
In this significant development, prominent players including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja were retained in the highest bracket (A+), as the BCCI included a total of 30 players in the central contracts list. The decision to exclude Iyer and Kishan stemmed from their limited involvement in the ongoing domestic cricket season, despite directives from the board and its secretary, Jay Shah.
It’s worth noting that Ishan Kishan held a Grade C contract, while Shreyas Iyer was positioned in Grade B during the retainership contracts for the 2022-23 season.
The BCCI clarified in a statement that the exclusion of Iyer and Kishan from the annual contracts was a result of their non-compliance with the board’s directive, which prioritizes participation in domestic cricket during periods when players are not representing the national team.
BCCI Terminates Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer’s Contracts
Indian cricketers Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer faced consequences for not following the BCCI’s instructions. They were not included in the board’s list of central contracts for 2023-24, while top players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja made it to Grade A+.
Ishan and Iyer had been in the spotlight for their prolonged absence from the Ranji Trophy, despite the BCCI emphasizing the importance of playing First-Class cricket alongside the IPL. As they remained firm in their decision, the BCCI took action against them.
Why BCCI Revoke Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer’s Contracts?
Analyzing the recent BCCI statement, it’s evident that Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were excluded because they hesitated to participate in the Ranji Trophy, a domestic red-ball competition.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah emphasized the significance of competing in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic events for players under contract to remain in contention for national selection.
Ishan Kishan hasn’t represented India since opting out of the Test series in South Africa, citing the need for a break. Head coach Rahul Dravid expressed his frustration when repeatedly questioned about Ishan’s absence during the England Test series.
Dravid clarified that there’s a path for everyone to return to the team but highlighted the importance of competitive cricket before considering a comeback. He mentioned they can’t compel players to participate in domestic cricket but stressed its necessity for Ishan’s return.
In contrast, Shreyas Iyer was omitted from the squad for the final three Tests against England. While initially attributed to a recurring back injury, it appears the team management was dissatisfied with his performance as Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain.
Interestingly, Shreyas Iyer has been named in the Mumbai squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy semi-final against Tamil Nadu in Mumbai.
KL Rahul and Shubman Gill Earned Promotions
KL Rahul and Shubman Gill have moved up the ranks, while Hardik Pandya stays in Grade A despite not playing Test cricket. Hardik, who captained India in 11 T20I matches in 2023, was seen as the successor to Rohit Sharma. However, an injury during the World Cup has caused him to slip down the rankings.
Suryakumar Yadav, who led India in 8 T20Is in 2023-24, remains in Grade B.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the standout player in India’s series victory over England, enters Grade B from the get-go. Players who meet the minimum criteria of playing 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is in the specified period will automatically be placed in Grade C.
BCCI Contracts 2023-24 List
Check the table below for the full list of BCCI Contracts 2023-24:
| BCCI Contracts 2023-24 List | |
|---|---|
| Grade | Athletes |
| Grade A+ | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja |
| Grade A | R Ashwin, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya |
| Grade B | Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Grade C | Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaekwad, Shardul Thakur, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, KS Bharat, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar |
FAQs
Q.1. Why were Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer excluded from BCCI contracts?
Ans. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were excluded due to their non-compliance with the BCCI’s directive, which emphasizes participation in domestic cricket alongside international commitments.
Q.2. Who are the top players retained in the Grade A+ category?
Ans. The top players retained in the Grade A+ category are Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Q.3. What actions led to Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer’s contract termination?
Ans. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer faced contract termination for their failure to participate in domestic cricket, despite directives from the BCCI, impacting their eligibility for central contracts.
Q.4. What are the criteria for players to be included in Grade C contracts?
Ans. Players meeting the minimum criteria of playing 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is in the specified period are automatically placed in Grade C contracts.
Q.5. Which players received promotions in the BCCI contracts for 2023-24?
Ans. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill earned promotions in the BCCI contracts for 2023-24, while notable mentions include Yashasvi Jaiswal’s entry into Grade B.
