Ravi Shastri, VVS Laxman react to omitting Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan from central contract list

New Delhi: The omission of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from BCCI's annual central contract player retainership has attracted reactions from several quarters of Indian cricket.

Among them is former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who backed them to overcome this setback. Both Kishan and Iyer had made their international debut when Shastri was at the helm.

On social media, Shastri expressed that the duo's past accomplishments speak volumes, expressing confidence in their ability to "conquer once again."

“In the game of cricket, comebacks define the spirit. Chin-up, @ShreyasIyer15 and @ishankishan51! Dig deep, face challenges, and come back even stronger. Your past achievements speak volumes, and I have no doubt you'll conquer once again.”

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In the game of cricket, comebacks define the spirit. Chin-up, @ShreyasIyer15 and @ishankishan51! Dig deep, face challenges, and come back even stronger. Your past achievements speak volumes, and I have no doubt you'll conquer once again.

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) February 28, 2024 >

On the other hand, some welcomed BCCI's decision to prioritise domestic cricket.

VVS Laxman said it's great to see that commitment to represent the country in the largest format of the game and emphasis to keep oneself match-ready by playing domestic cricket is being prioritised through the BCCI annual contracts.

Commentator Harsha Bhogle said it is a very strong message to players and puts Indian cricket at the forefront.

"If you have red ball ambition and want to play for India, you must go back and play domestic cricket if you are passed fit. I would like to see an equally strong stance taken at first-class cricket level," he said.

If players are interested only in playing white-ball cricket, they should make it clear and play Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare for the state, Bhogle said.

"It is entirely possible that red ball cricket isn't where you see your future or your joy. And that you want to be a purely white ball player; In which case, you must make it clear and play Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare for the state that nurtured you through age-group cricket," he said.

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My thoughts on the central contracts. This is a very strong message to players and puts Indian cricket at the forefront. If you have red ball ambition and want to play for India, you must go back and play domestic cricket if you are passed fit. I would like to see an equally…

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 29, 2024 >

Both Shreyas and Ishan are very gifted players and he expects them to score a lot of runs and fight their way back into the national team, Bhogle said. "That is how bigger cricketers have done it, whether Ganguly or Laxman or Jadeja or Kumble. It won't surprise me if Chahal forces his way into contention either," he added.

Bhogle also liked the idea of fast bowling contracts. "We have to look after them and there are so many exciting prospects," he said.