Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh hits out at stars Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan over the BCCI contract snub. Both players were left out of the central contracts announced by the BCCI for 2024-25. Bhajji backs Ishan and Iyer to emerge as match-winners for India. He advices them to take this snubbing as a stepping stone to succeed further.
Harbhajan Singh questions Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan’s thought process
“Every player is available for the selection process. Now whether they will be selected is a different aspect because it depends on their form and whether the team requires their services. Just because they didn’t get a contract, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for them,” Harbhajan tells Hindustan Times.
“It’s a learning step for them. Whatever step was taken was for their betterment, that is how they should take it. I look at this in a rather constructive way because from hereon, I feel they could emerge as better players. But we still do not know what was going on in their heads. They are both brilliant cricketers and I feel they will win a lot of matches for India in the future,” said Harbhajan.
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Why was Ishan Kishan axed?
Ishan Kishan pulled out of South Africa series citing mental fatigue. While that did not sit well with the BCCI, Ishan repeatedly ignored calls to play in Ranji Trophy.
He had a chance to come back to the Test team with KS Bharat struggling. But with no domestic cricket to back his claims, Ishan was snubbed.
And as a result, he is out of the BCCI Central Contract. Last year, Ishan was in Grade C.
Why was Shreyas Iyer axed?
As for Shreyas Iyer, it’s tricky. He was an all format player till last year. He was a regular in Test, ODI and T20I depending upon his fitness.
But after he was dropped from the Test squad after a string of disappointing performances, he complained of back spasm and skipped Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match.
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