“I don’t decide contracts” – Rahul Dravid on Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer losing central contracts
BCCI want players to play domestic cricket if they are fit.
Team India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, has reacted to the exclusion of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from BCCI’s central contract list, which was announced last week.
A massive drama unfolded when Kishan and Iyer didn’t appear for the Ranji games despite the management’s request. Both the cricketers were reportedly preparing for the IPL 2024. As a consequence, the BCCI dropped them from the central contract.
When asked about it, Dravid stated that it’s BCCI’s job to give contracts and he is not in power to influence it. He also insisted that he doesn’t even know the criteria of selection and participates only in the formulation of playing XI alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.
“It’s the board and selectors who decide it. I don’t even know what the criteria are. People ask my opinion on the 15, me and Rohit pick the XI. We never discuss whether a player has a contract or not, whether he is going to be picked,” Rahul Dravid said in the press conference following the conclusion of the fifth Test against England.
The 51-year-old also mentioned that Shreyas and Kishan are always in the scheme of things. He highlighted the fact that players without central contracts are picked regularly across three formats.
“They are always in the mix. Everyone who is playing cricket and domestic cricket is in the mix. I don’t decide on contracts. There are enough examples of people players in different formats of the game whether they have contracts or not. It’s a question of them getting fit, getting back playing cricket and forcing the selectors to pick them again,” he added.
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What’s next for Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer?
While Ishan Kishan appeared in the DY Patil T20 Cup, Shreyas Iyer played for his state team, Mumbai, in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Tamil Nadu. However, that wasn’t enough to save the central contract from BCCI.
Both cricketers will be seen playing for their respective teams in IPL 2024. They are in contention for the T20 World Cup 2024. However, their performance in the cash-rich league will decide their fate.
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