Disappointing to Not See Cheteshwar Pujara Seal A+ Contract - Niranjan Shah

Former Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah has lamented the Indian board for not including Cheteshwar Pujara in A+ contract. Pujara had a sublime tour of Australia where he was adjudged the Man of the series. The talisman batsman scored 521 runs on the tour Down Under and faced as many as 1258 balls.

Pujara was at his best and batted at the top of his game. The talisman batsman had scored three centuries in the four-match series as he was the major difference between the two sides. Thus, it was expected that he would be included in the A+ category.

Pujara was the hero of Australia tour.

However, only Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah are included in A+ contract for the Indian team. Subsequently, Niranjan Shah believes it is not fair for Pujara as Test cricket is not given the priority by the Committee of Administrators.

“It was disappointing not to see Pujara’s name in A-plus list. It’s highly unfair that Tests are not given importance by the COA. After enjoying such a fantastic season in international cricket, Pujara deserved to be in the A-plus bracket. The way the CoA is running the game in India, the less said the better,” lamented former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah.

In fact, Niranjan Shah was also the secretary of the Saurashtra Cricket Association. On the other hand, it was decided that the first choice players for all the three formats and those who are the top 10 players in the world, will be given A+ contract category.

“I fail to see a reason for this debate,” a top BCCI official pointed out to TOI. There was a template set last year after discussing with the team management. It was agreed upon that only those players who are automatic choices in all the three formats, and are ranked in the top 10, will be eligible for a Grade A-plus contract. This isn’t a subjective decision. Pujara still has an A grade contract, after all.”

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara only plays Test format for the India National Cricket Team. Pujara has been a consistent performer for the Indian side and he is performed consistently in the red ball version. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were demoted to A category from A+.