Shreyas Iyer Adds to BCCI Concerns: Skips Ranji Trophy Citing Injury Despite Being Declared Fit

Shreyas Iyer Adds to BCCI Concerns: Skips Ranji Trophy Citing Injury Despite Being Declared Fit

Concerned about someone who has followed in Ishan Kishan’s footsteps is another prominent Indian cricketer, Shreyas Iyer, BCCI feels. Kishan did not take part in any Ranji Trophy matches for Jharkhand during the current domestic season, despite repeated reminders from BCCI secretary Jay Shah and head coach Rahul Dravid. Iyer was reportedly unable to attend Mumbai’s elimination matches. Mumbai and Baroda are expected to start their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match on Friday.

Iyer notified the Mumbai Cricket Association that he would not be able to play in the quarterfinal match because of a back problem, according to an Indian Express article. Iyer, however, had no new ailments and was approved to play, according to an email from Nitin Patel, head of sports science and health at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), to the MCA selectors.

“The report from the Indian squad following the second Test match against England said that Shreyas Iyer was available and fit for selection. Following his departure from Team India, no new injuries have been detected as of yet,” Patel stated in the email. This throws doubt on the young Indian cricketer’s attitude towards domestic red-ball cricket. Their only worry is not to overdo it and ruin their chances of competing in the biggest T20 competition in the world, especially with the Indian Premier event coming up in less than a month. Notably, Iyer is anticipated to captain the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League once more in 2024, having missed the previous season due to injury.

Iyer had a protracted dry spell in red-ball cricket and was dropped from the Indian side for the remaining three Test matches against England. He did not score fifty runs in any of the next thirteen innings. During the second Test in Vizag, he did have pain in his lower back and groin area while batting, but the BCCI medical team and the NCA staff deemed him fit. Although he was eligible for selection, the committee headed by Ajit Agarkar chose not to include him and suggested he play in the Ranji Trophy instead. On the other hand, Iyer ignored it.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s direct orders for all contracted cricketers

This is just four days after the secretary of the BCCI stated that the board is truly pleased with the Indian Premier League’s achievements throughout the years. However, he added that it was not expected for players to choose domestic cricket over the IPL.

There is, however, a developing pattern that warrants attention. Unexpectedly, some players have started to value the IPL more than local cricket. In the letter to players, Jay Shah stated, “Domestic cricket has always been the cornerstone upon which Indian cricket stands, and it has never been undervalued in our vision for the sport.”

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Shah said that the board has always had the distinct belief that domestic cricket should come before playing for India. It is imperative to acknowledge that domestic cricket functions as the foundation of Indian cricket and provides a pipeline for Team India. We have always been clear about our goal for Indian cricket: to play for India, a cricketer must first establish themselves in their own country. Participation in domestic cricket competitions is still a crucial criterion for selection, and missing out on them will have dire consequences.”