Jay Shah issues stern warning to Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer; says 'non-participation in domestic cricket will carry severe implications'

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah issued a stern letter to centrally contracted players and those in India A. Jay Shah warned them about the non-participation in domestic games, stating that it would have ‘severe implications’.

India’s wicketkeeper-batter, Ishan Kishan, decided not to participate in the ongoing Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand despite reminders from the Indian team management. Deepak Chahar and Shreyas Iyer were also absent from their respective domestic teams’ matches.

Kishan requested a break during the Test series in South Africa due to fatigue. However, he has not been considered for selection since then, with Rahul Dravid emphasizing that Kishan is currently not in contention due to his absence from cricketing activities.

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Some Players Have Begun Prioritising The IPL Over Domestic Cricket – Jay Shah

As per the Indian Express report, Jay Shah highlighted the growing concern over players favoring the IPL over domestic red-ball cricket. Shah emphasized the significance of domestic cricket, stating that it has always been highly valued in his vision for the sport.

“There is a recent trend that has started to emerge and is a cause for concern. Some players have begun prioritising the IPL over domestic cricket, a shift that was not anticipated. Domestic cricket has always been the foundation upon which Indian cricket stands, and it has never been undervalued in our vision for the sport,” Shah said in the letter.

Our Vision For Indian Cricket Has Been Clear – Jay Shah

Jay Shah reiterated that performance in domestic cricket is crucial for selection to the national team and warned of serious consequences for players who opt out of domestic matches.

“Our vision for Indian cricket has been clear from the outset – every cricketer aspiring to play for India must prove themselves in domestic cricket. Performance in domestic cricket remains a critical yardstick for selection and non-participation in domestic cricket will carry severe implications,” Shah added.

Sunil Gavaskar Exemplified This Dedication – Jay Shah

Jay Shah mentioned that players like Sunil Gavaskar demonstrated unwavering dedication by playing club matches after international tours. He stressed that domestic cricket was not merely a commitment but also a responsibility and a matter of pride for players.

“Legends like Sunil Gavaskar exemplified this dedication, playing club cricket the morning they arrived from an international tour. Domestic cricket was seen not just as a commitment but as a responsibility and a source of pride,” Shah further wrote.

Earlier this week, the BCCI secretary reiterated the board’s stance against centrally contracted players skipping domestic red-ball cricket, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for such actions. Shah also mentioned that he would write letters to the concerned players.

Indian players will participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the completion of the five-match Test series against England. Following the IPL 2024, the Indian team will play in the T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to be held in the USA and the West Indies.

Also read: “Virat Kohli is not that kind of a player..” – Jay Shah reveals why Virat Kohli isn’t playing the Test series vs England