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'No One Bigger Than Game' - Madan Lal Praises Exclusion Of Shreyas, Ishan From BCCI Contracts

Sumit Gupta

Iyer and Kishan have been left out of the BCCI's annual contracts (X.com)Iyer and Kishan have been left out of the BCCI's annual contracts (X.com)

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Former Indian cricketer and coach Madan Lal has commended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its recent decision to exclude Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from the annual contract list due to their absence from Ranji Trophy matches. 

Lal expressed his belief that both players should have participated in the domestic tournament to avoid being excluded.

In an interview with TOI, Lal emphasized the importance of adhering to the BCCI's directive.

"If the BCCI told them to play first-class cricket, they should have gone and played. No one is bigger than the game," he praised the BCCI's decision to mandate first-class cricket and urged players to respect and follow the rules.

The decision by the BCCI to exclude both players from the annual retainers has garnered mixed reactions from fans and the cricket fraternity. However, Lal backed the BCCI's move.

"But it is the BCCI making sure that the boys are disciplined."

The former World Cup-winning all-rounder stressed the significance of players participating in first-class cricket if they are fit.

 "The main thing is fitness. Playing in the first-class season is possible if they are fit," Madan Lal emphasized the importance of discipline in the game.

After being declared fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the current India vs. England Test series, Shreyas Iyer did not play for Mumbai or India in the following weeks. However, he has been named in Mumbai's squad for the Ranji Trophy semifinal. 

On the other hand, Ishan Kishan took a personal break during the South Africa tour and returned to action in the DY Patil T20 tournament. While he did not play Ranji Trophy, he was recommended by the BCCI to prioritize domestic cricket during periods when not representing India.

As India leads the ongoing Test series against England 3-1, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the final match scheduled at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala from March 7.

It is worth noticing that both Iyer and Kishan were members of the Indian team that qualified for the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup.