Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has joined the conversation surrounding the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from central contracts, expressing his confusion over their absence from domestic cricket fixtures. Ganguly’s remarks come amidst growing speculation and criticism regarding the duo’s decision to skip the Ranji Trophy despite not being on national duty.

Shreyas Iyer, who participated in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Andhra before featuring in the first two Tests against England, withdrew from subsequent games due to a reported back spasm. Despite being cleared of any serious injury by the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Iyer opted out of both the ongoing Test series and the Ranji Trophy, instead joining Kolkata Knight Riders’ pre-season camp in Kolkata.

Sourav Ganguly, in an interview with RevSports, echoed the sentiment that contracted players must prioritize first-class cricket, emphasizing its foundational role in Indian cricket culture. He expressed surprise at Iyer and Kishan’s decisions, particularly noting Iyer’s absence from the Ranji Trophy, which Ganguly considers a vital platform for players.

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“The BCCI wants them to play first-class cricket. So I’m surprised that Shreyas hasn’t played Ranji Trophy. It’s a premier tournament and you’re supposed to play,” Sourav Ganguly remarked. He highlighted the significance of the Ranji Trophy as a prerequisite for representing the country, stressing that contracted players have a responsibility to participate in such fixtures.

Sourav Ganguly also questioned Kishan’s decision, given his prominence in various formats and substantial IPL contracts. He emphasized the importance of players like Iyer and Kishan setting an example by prioritizing domestic cricket, especially considering their stature and potential impact on budding cricketers.

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“You’re supposed to play first-class cricket. It’s a premier tournament in your country. You’re a contracted player and once you’re a contracted player, you are expected to play. Iyer is playing in the [Ranji Trophy 2024] semi-final. They are young people and Shreyas, and Ishan Kishan, have surprised me. He was a part of the Indian team in all formats. Such a big contract in IPL. So, I don’t know why he’s done that,” Sourav Ganguly added.

In essence, Ganguly’s remarks underscore the importance of respecting domestic cricket traditions while also acknowledging the evolving dynamics of modern cricket.