Kapil Dev has spoken on the Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer fiasco
Kapil Dev, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has expressed his approval of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) recent decision to prioritize domestic cricket over the Indian Premier League (IPL), even if it means some players will face consequences. While Kapil did not mention any names, it’s apparent that his remarks were directed towards Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who had their contracts terminated for neglecting to participate in the Ranji Trophy as per the board’s guidelines.
“Yes, few players will suffer, kuch logon ko taqleef hogi, hone do… lekin desh se badh kar koi nahi hai(Though it may result in some players facing setbacks, let it be so… because no individual is greater than the nation),” Kapil stated. He commended the BCCI for taking a decisive stance to safeguard the significance of domestic cricket, expressing his disappointment at seeing players overlook it once they achieved international recognition.
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Kishan and Iyer found themselves in hot water for repeatedly disregarding the BCCI’s directive to prioritize domestic cricket over the IPL. In a letter addressed to all centrally-contracted players, BCCI secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of participating in the Ranji Trophy alongside the IPL. However, both Kishan and Iyer had reasons for not representing their respective states, Jharkhand and Mumbai, which did not hold weight with the BCCI.
Iyer, who was on a break from the Indian team citing mental fatigue, was training with his Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya at the DY Patil Stadium ahead of his comeback series when he encountered conflicting assessments regarding a back spasm from the NCA physio. While NCA had previously misdiagnosed KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah, creating doubts. Ultimately, Kishan and Iyer find themselves excluded from national team contention, despite their participation in the upcoming IPL 2024 season.
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Kapil also weighed in on the BCCI’s new directive, stressing the importance of Indian team members returning to play domestic cricket whenever the cricketing calendar permits. He believes this not only supports domestic players but also allows international players to give back to the state associations that nurtured their careers.
“It was overdue for such a message to be conveyed, and the BCCI’s decisive action will significantly elevate the status of domestic cricket. I have always advocated for international players to represent their states, as it fosters camaraderie among players and acknowledges the contributions of state associations in shaping a player’s journey,” Kapil remarked, reflecting on his own experiences as India’s first World Cup-winning captain.
