Ever since BCCI excluded two ODI World Cup squad players - Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from their annual retention contract list for 2023-2024, there have been a lot of debates and opinions regarding the same. Akash Chopra recently went on record saying that the IPL is the only chance for the wicket-keeper batsman to prove his worth.
"Ishan Kishan will be hungry, as he has no central contract. This is the only thing he is playing. What else is he playing?" Chopra said in his YouTube video.
"Either he has opted not to play, or he won't be selected now. So this is his chance. If you make the IPL your own, you have a chance of going forward. Then there is, of course, Wankhede's flat pitch. The ball will come nicely onto the bat and go far," Chopra added.
Former World Cup captain Kapil Dev backed BCCI's move, calling it a much-needed step to protect marquee first-class events like the Ranji Trophy. "A few players will suffer, but let it be", he said.
"I congratulate the BCCI for taking the much-needed step to protect the status of domestic cricket. I was sad to see domestic cricket being given the skip by players once they had established themselves in international cricket", the former captain said.
"It was high time the message was given and this strong step by the BCCI will go a long way in restoring the prestige of domestic cricket. I have always believed in the process of international players making themselves available to play for their respective states. It helps them extend their support to domestic players. Also, it is a nice way to pay back for the services rendered by the state association in grooming a player," he said.
