India head coach Rahul Dravid has steered clear of playing any role in deciding on the list of cricketers who were handed annual central contracts by the BCCI recently. The Indian cricket board released the list last month with the surprise exclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan.
The issue triggered a red-hot debate in light of BCCI secretary Jay Shah reportedly warning players to not skip domestic cricket when not on international duty. Both Ishan and Iyer skipped Ranji Trophy despite Shah’s warning.
Iyer missed Mumbai’s quarterfinal clash citing back spasms but played in their semi-final clash against Tamil Nadu. On the other hand, Ishan, who represents Jharkhand in domestic cricket, hasn’t played for India since the T20I series against Australia last November.
“I don’t decide contracts, right?” Dravid said in response to a query on central contracts after the conclusion of the fifth and final Test between India and England in Dharamsala on Saturday.
“Contracts are decided by the selectors and the board. I don’t even know what is the criteria (for inclusion). Me and Rohit select the (playing) 11. We have never discussed whether somebody has a contract or not. I don’t even know what the list of the contracted players is,” said Dravid in the post-match press-conference.
Iyer and Ishan might not have BCCI contracts but Dravid says it doesn’t mean they are out of the picture.
“They are always in the mix. Nobody is out of picture. Everyone who’s playing domestic cricket is in the mix. It’s just a question of, hopefully, them getting back and fit, playing cricket, and forcing the selectors to pick them again,” Dravid said.
The BCCI on Saturday announced ‘Test Cricket Incentive Scheme’ which has been designed to encourage more participation in red-ball cricket for India.
However, Dravid hopes that players aren’t going to prioritise playing Test cricket just only for the monetary benefits.
“I really hope money is not going to be the incentive to play Test cricket. It’s just the hard work and how tough Test cricket can be is being recognised. So, I wouldn’t see it as an incentive to make people play Test cricket, I hope not. But it is nice that the BCCI is recognizing it. I think it is a reward, not an incentive,” Dravid said.
