Delhi: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah said that the decision to exclude star wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan and dashing batsman Shreyas Iyer from the list of centrally contracted players has been completely taken by the selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar. Kishan and Iyer were dropped for not participating in the domestic tournament despite BCCI orders.

Recall that Kishan took a long sabbatical after the ODI World Cup last year and was unavailable till the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), while Iyer played a few Ranji Trophy matches for Mumbai, including the semi-finals and final. However, when it was revealed that Iyer was attending the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) camp in Mumbai while his home team was playing Ranji Trophy matches, the KKR captain faced trouble.

While talking to the media at the BCCI headquarters on Thursday, Jai Shah said, “You can investigate. I am just the convener (of the selection meeting). This decision is of Ajit Agarkar. These two players (Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer) who did not play domestic (cricket), it was only his decision to exclude them (from the central contract list). My role is just this and we have got new players like Sanju (Samson), no one is mandatory.”

Apart from this, he also gave a statement regarding star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Shah further said, “Yes, I spoke to him. The media had also published the news. Even Hardik (Pandya) said that if BCCI is considering me for the white ball, then I am ready to play Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Any player has to play, even if they don't want to, they have to play.”

New coach will be appointed for a long time – Jai Shah

Jay Shah said that BCCI will soon publish advertisement for the new coach. At present, Rahul Dravid is the head coach of the Indian team. He is working on this post since November 2021. Dravid's contract as head coach of Team India is going to expire in June. Despite his contract being extended after the 2023 ODI World Cup, it seems unlikely that Rahul's tenure will be extended as the board prepares to look for new coaching talent.

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Jay confirmed that the new coach will be appointed on a long-term contract and will serve for an initial period of three years. In other words, BCCI wants to appoint a coach keeping in mind the 2027 ODI World Cup.

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