Renowned Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has stepped forward to defend Shreyas Iyer following the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to exclude him from the central contract for the 2023/24 season. Gavaskar highlighted that Iyer had participated in the Ranji Trophy prior to the ongoing Test series against England, disputing claims that he hadn't fulfilled necessary criteria.
Both Iyer and Ishan Kishan were absent from the BCCI Central Contracts list for the current season, with the board stating they were not recommended for retainership. While Iyer had previously held a Grade B contract, Kishan had a Grade C contract in the last season.
Despite Iyer's participation in the Ranji Trophy match against Andhra before the England series, his performance in the initial Tests failed to leave a significant impact. Following his exclusion from India's squad for the final three Tests against England and withdrawal from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarterfinal due to a back issue, Iyer's absence from the central contract list raised questions.
Gavaskar pointed out that Iyer had fulfilled the team management's request to play in the Ranji Trophy before the Test series commenced. He further emphasized that Iyer had informed the team management about his back discomfort before the third Test, but subsequent clearance from the National Cricket Academy's trainers seemed to count against him.
Reflecting on India's commendable performance in the recent Ranchi Test, Gavaskar praised the young talents, Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill, for their resilience under pressure. He applauded their contribution in securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, highlighting the team's collective effort despite the absence of key players.
Gavaskar also credited the captains for effectively guiding the inexperienced players and instilling confidence in them to perform beyond expectations. He emphasized the significance of leadership in achieving victories, citing examples from the Brisbane and Ranchi Tests as pivotal moments in Indian cricket history.
In conclusion, Gavaskar underscored the importance of passion and determination in overcoming challenges, asserting that victories in crucial Test matches like Brisbane and Ranchi symbolize the resilience and commitment of the Indian cricket team.
