"If You Don't Value...": Ex-Pakistan Star's Blunt Take On Ishan Kishan-Shreyas Iyer Row
The dropping of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan by the BCCI from its central contract list has triggered a worldwide debate.
The dropping of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan by the BCCI from its central contract list has triggered a worldwide debate. Many have come in favour of the duo and criticised the board for taking such a stern action against the top players. While many have supported the BCCI for maintaining their strong stance and setting up an example for other players. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal also backed the BCCI and stated that such an action was required to punish the players for ignoring the board's orders.
Akmal stated that by dropping Kishan and Iyer from the central contract, BCCI has given a proof of being a "good 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 was last part of the squad that toured South Africa before he went on a break while Iyer was part of the first two Tests against England, before he was dropped.
Their reported reluctance to play in national-level domestic tournaments is being seen as a reason for their exclusion.
Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly, who was also a former BCCI president, had a message for current secretary Jay Shah and president Roger Binny on the subject.
Sourav Ganguly was asked by Times of India, "Do you think the younger crop of players needed to be guided better?"
"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," Ganguly replied.
"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."
India Cricket Team
Pakistan Cricket Team
Kamran Akmal