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BCCI secretary Jay Shah clarified that the decision to exclude Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from central contracts came solely from India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Both players missed domestic matches despite the BCCI's emphasis on participation. Kishan took a lengthy break after the ODI World Cup 2023, rejoining only for the IPL. Iyer, though he played some Ranji Trophy matches for Mumbai, raised eyebrows by attending a KKR camp while his team was still in contention.
"You can check the constitution. I am just a convener (of the selection meeting)," Jay Shah said during a media interaction at the BCCI head office.
"That decision lies with Ajit Agarkar, even when these two players (Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer) who did not play domestic (cricket), the decision to drop them (from the central contracts list) was only his. My role is just to implement. And we have got new players (in place), like Sanju (Samson). Nobody is indispensable," Shah added.
Before Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer's snub from the central contract in February, Jay Shah signalled his backing for the selectors' stance. He stated his support for any action taken against players who didn't fulfil the captain and team management's expectations for domestic participation. Shah also mentioned that he had spoken to the affected players after the contracts were announced.
"Yes, I had spoken with them. Media had even carried the reports," he said. "Even Hardik (Pandya) said if BCCI is considering me for white-ball, then I am ready to play Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Any player will have to play, even if they do not want to, they will have to," Jay Shah continued.
Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed a good number of high-scoring thrillers, where teams have gone past the 250-run mark more than twice. When asked about the high scores in IPL 2024, Jay Shah pointed out that it's all about talented players performing well and sustaining their form throughout the tournament.
" Whoever plays well in the IPL... like say Ishan Kishan, he finds it difficult to take part with the Indian team but he can play in Mumbai Indians as a player. There he can play in a relaxed manner. In Team India, you have to prove yourself, give back to back performances. The one who can handle that can be described as a right player," he added. Shah also revealed details of his conversation with Kishan, which took place after Mumbai Indians' match against Gujarat. "No, I did not advise him anything. It was just a friendly talk that he should do well and I speak with all players like that," Shah concluded.
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