Ishan Kishan And Shreyas Iyer: After India secured victory in the five-match Test series against England with a win in the fourth game in Ranchi, Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction. The captain praised the young players’ performance and mentioned that opportunities would be given to those genuinely interested in playing Test cricket.
This comment was specifically directed at Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, who have been criticized by the BCCI for not prioritizing red-ball matches. Ishan Kishan, despite being advised by the board, chose to skip the entire Ranji Trophy season and did not play for Jharkhand, despite statements from Rahul Dravid.
What Rohit Sharma Said During Press Conference?
Rohit Sharma mentioned that the team would give opportunities to players who are passionate about Test cricket. According to him, success in this format requires a strong desire to perform. Rohit emphasized that they would prioritize those players who show hunger for success in Test matches.
He explained that if a player lacks the motivation and determination to succeed, there’s no point in selecting them. Rohit believes that everyone currently in the team has the required hunger. He also highlighted that players who perform well and contribute to victories will receive more chances.
Youngester Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, and Akash Deep have impressed in their debut matches in the ongoing series against England.
Is Rohit Sharma Targeting Ishan Kishan And Shreyas Iyer?
Rohit Sharma didn’t specifically target Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer in his recent press conference. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra explained that Rohit’s focus was on the importance of discipline and dedication in succeeding in Test matches. Rohit praised young players like Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shubman Gill for performing well in the absence of senior players.
Despite speculation on social media, Rohit’s statement wasn’t directed at any particular individual. Aakash Chopra also criticized the English media for attributing everything to “Bazball” and pointed out the underperformance of middle-order batters throughout the series.
Ishan Kishan And Shreyas Iyer Issue With BCCI
The BCCI has decided not to include Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer in the annual player retainerships for the 2023-24 season. This decision is a result of controversies surrounding the players’ choices to not play first-class cricket and not prioritize Test matches. Despite the BCCI’s instructions to participate in domestic cricket, their non-compliance led to them being left out of the central contracts.Â
No BCCI contract for Shreyas Iyer & Ishan Ishan. pic.twitter.com/kcA9HQp9L5
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 28, 2024
Ishan Kishan
After returning from the India tour of South Africa in December-January, Ishan Kishan has been on an extended break for “personal reasons.” Although he has been practicing with Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya in Baroda, he hasn’t played for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy, despite being advised by the Indian Board to do so.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer was absent from Mumbai’s final Ranji Trophy league match against Assam at BKC. Additionally, he did not play in the Ranji quarter-final against Baroda. The BCCI has emphasized that centrally contracted and India A cricketers should prioritize participating in domestic cricket when not representing the national team.
Also Read: Who is Jan Nicol Loftie Eaton? Who Create a History by Making Century in 33 Balls Against Nepal
