Shreyas Iyer, an Indian middle order batsman, finally returned to the Indian team for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Colombo. At the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2, he was included in the playing XI for the first One-Day International.
Iyer made a comeback to the ODI World Cup after sustaining a back injury during the Asia Cup. He was not included in the squad for the final three home Test matches against England, despite being chosen for the first two. He was cleared for selection, but soon after the second Test he developed back spasms. Iyer excused himself from a few Mumbai Ranji Trophy matches due to back pain. When it became known that Iyer had attended a KKR preseason session during one of the games he had skipped, controversy broke out.
He went back to play in the Ranji Trophy final and semifinals, but his BCCI central contract was terminated. Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, issued a warning to players not to put the IPL above local cricket. Iyer’s contract was not extended, and during the final, he missed two days in a row because of back problems.
What does Shreyas Iyer require to do to reclaim the central contract?
Informally speaking, BCCI had announced in the beginning of the year that Grade C would be based on pro-rata from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 for those cricketers who would play at least three Tests or eight ODIs or ten T20Is during this period.
“Athletes who meet the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests or 8 ODIs or 10 T20Is within the specified period will automatically be included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis,” the BCCI mentioned in a press release.
In order to be eligible for a contract in the current cycle, Iyer must play seven more 50-over matches, three Test matches, or ten Twenty20 matches in addition to his maiden ODI this cycle. Regretfully, India’s options for the upcoming cycle are limited to two Test matches and two ODIs following their opening match against Sri Lanka. Iyer won’t be able to obtain a central contract until the following cycle.
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