Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to to exclude Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from its central contract list turned everyone's heads. While some came to the duo's rescue with criticism directed at BCCI for its harsh measures against star players, many have applauded the board's firm stance as a precedent for other cricketers.
Kamran Akmal backs BCCI's decision to release Kishan-Shreyas from central contract
Meanwhile, former Pakistan's star wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal recently reacted to Kishan-Shreyas' row and expressed support for the BCCI's actions, suggesting it was necessary to discipline the players for disregarding the board's directives.
ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer crashes badly in Ranji Trophy semifinal after exclusion from BCCI's central contract
Akmal commented that by removing Kishan and Iyer from the central contract, the BCCI demonstrated effective leadership and management.
"Shreyas Iyer played the first two Tests of the series. If you don't value the cricket because of which you made it to the national team, what message is it going to give to all the youngsters?" said Akmal on his YouTube Channel.
"BCCI has made the right call, taking such strict action early on to control the damage. If they had given them a levy and handed them central contracts, a lot more players would have started playing on their own terms in the future. India have given a message to their players to ensure that nobody even thinks of doing something like this the next time. This is proof of good management. Nobody is bigger than the game," he added.
Kishan, Shreyas bear BCCI's brunt
Kishan was last included in the team for the tour of South Africa, after which he took a break, whereas Iyer participated in the initial two Tests against England before being omitted from the team. Their apparent disinclination to participate in domestic competitions at the national level is perceived as the cause for their omission.
Meanwhile, shedding light on the issue, former India captain Sourav Ganguly wants BCCI secretary Jay Shah and president Roger Binny to speak to Kishan.
When questioned whether the younger crop of players needed to be guided better, Ganguly said:
“For someone like Ishan Kishan, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, president Roger Binny and the selectors need to speak to him. All this while he has played Ranji and then played white-ball cricket. Has it made him a poorer player? It hasn't”.
"All the players picked in Delhi Capitals have played Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy. Even Ishant Sharma has played Ranji. Khaleel Ahmed has played the full season after a long time. We worked with him in the off season and got him fit to play Ranji. There are only one or two exceptions who need to be spoken to," Ganguly told Times of India.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Why Usman Khawaja was forced to remove sticker from his replacement bat on Day 3 of Wellington Test?
