The BCCI took a very stern and harsh step against Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, earlier, this year. They dropped both of them from the central contract list because Iyer decided to skip Mumbai’s semi-final clash in the Ranji Trophy citing back spasm.
On the other hand, Kishan decided to not feature in the entire domestic red-ball calendar. This angered the BCCI and the chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who had made it absolutely clear that domestic tournaments can’t be neglected.
Jay Shah emphasized that his firm stance on player participation in domestic cricket led to Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan playing in the Duleep Trophy. He mentioned that, aside from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the rest of the players in the the Duleep Trophy squad would be participating because of the strict measures he enforced.
Shah also highlighted that this approach applies to all players, noting that when Ravindra Jadeja was injured, Shah insisted he prove his fitness in domestic cricket before rejoining the Indian team. This policy ensures that injured players must demonstrate their readiness through domestic games before returning to the national squad.
“If you look Duleep Trophy squad, apart from Rohit and Virat rest are going to play. It’s because of the harsh steps I have taken, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan are playing Duleep Trophy,” Jay Shah told Times of India.
“We have been little strict. When Ravindra Jadeja had got injured, I was the one who called him and asked him to play a domestic game. It’s certain now, whoever gets injured and goes out, can only come into the Indian team after proving his fitness in domestic cricket,” he added.
Jay Shah urges fans to not pressurize Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for Duleep Trophy participation
After the 2-0 loss against Sri Lanka in the ODI series, there is a big gap for the start of the next series against Bangladesh. There were reports that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will be part of the Duleep Trophy.
Sharma was in good form in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Kohli struggled a lot and had a below par series. Bumrah was rested to manage his workload and may be rested against Bangladesh as well.
When the squads of the Duleep Trophy were released, there were no signs of Sharma and Kohli. Jay Shah stated that the fans should not ask both the stalwarts to play Duleep Trophy as they need rest and need to manage their workload.
He added that both of them have been long time servants of Indian cricket and should be respected. They have earnt the right to chose which domestic tournament to play.
