The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the central contracts for the upcoming 2023-24 season, bringing with it some significant exclusions. Notable names such as Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara find themselves axed from the list, with a total of 9 players facing the consequences.
Shikhar Dhawan, who held a C contract with the BCCI, has been dropped due to his absence from the National Team for over a year. The seasoned campaigner, despite not being in the playing XI, maintained a contractual association with the cricket board.
Yuzvendra Chahal, nearing the twilight of his career, faces the axe following a series of below-par performances. The leg-spinner’s exclusion underscores the selectors’ emphasis on form and fitness in the quest for national representation.
In a surprising move, the BCCI has also omitted Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the central contracts. The duo, who chose not to comply with BCCI’s request to participate in domestic cricket, now find themselves excluded from the upcoming contract cycle.
The full list of players dropped from the BCCI Central Contracts includes Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Umesh Yadav, Shikhar Dhawan, Deepak Hooda, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Deepak Chahar.
BCCI’s statement clarified the exclusion of Iyer and Kishan, stating, ‘Please note that Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations. The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team.’
While Umesh Yadav, Deepak Hooda, and Deepak Chahar were not in contention for the National Team, their absence from the central contracts marks a shift in the board’s focus towards players actively contributing to the national cause.
As the cricketing landscape undergoes changes, the BCCI’s central contracts reflect a commitment to performance, discipline, and adherence to domestic cricket commitments.
