‘Players Are Taking First-Class Cricket For Granted’: Madan Lal Backs BCCI For Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan Axing

Madan Lal, former Indian coach, expresses the belief that Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan should have participated in Ranji Trophy matches to avoid being excluded from the annual contract list.

Former Indian cricketer and coach Madan Lal believes that Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan should have participated in the Ranji Trophy matches following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) recent directive to avoid the risk of being excluded from the annual contract list. Lal commended the BCCI for making first-class cricket mandatory, emphasising that no player is bigger than the game.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were excluded from the BCCI's annual retainers, with Kishan taking a personal break during the South Africa tour and making his comeback only recently in the DY Patil T20 tournament. While Iyer was deemed fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the ongoing India vs England Test series, he did not feature for either India or Mumbai in the subsequent week.

‘No One Is Bigger Than The Game’ Says Madan Lal

In an interview for TOI Madan Lal stressed the significance of adhering to the BCCI's directive for players such as Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan to engage in Ranji Trophy matches. Lal praised the BCCI's decision to mandate first-class cricket, emphasising the principle that no player is greater than the game itself. He urged players to respect and follow the rules, highlighting that failure to do so could result in consequences and serve as an example for others.

"If the BCCI told them to play first-class cricket, they should have gone and played. No one is bigger than the game. The BCCI should be given the credit as they are making it mandatory to play first-class cricket. Most of the players nowadays are taking first-class cricket for granted because of the IPL. Definitely, the BCCI made a rule that every player should go and play first-class cricket. So if you don't follow the rules, then they have to take some action and set an example for others," Madan Lal said.

BCCI Makes Sure That 'Boys Are Disciplined', According To Madan Lal

Madan Lal further emphasised the importance of players participating in first-class cricket if they are fit, noting that fitness is crucial. He acknowledges the potential benefits of a good IPL season but underscores the BCCI's role in ensuring discipline among players. Lal recognizes the talent of players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan but stresses the significance of adhering to BCCI's directives for maintaining discipline in the game.

"They have to play (first-class cricket) if they are fit. The main thing is fitness. If they are fit, then they can play the first-class season. But a good season in IPL can always be beneficial, and there is no doubt about their class. They have done so well here and there. But it is the BCCI making sure that the boys are disciplined," stated Lal as quoted by TOI.

Coming to the ongoing IND vs ENG Test series, India have won and are leading the five-match Test series by 3-1 and both the teams will face off for the final IND vs ENG Test at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala from March 7.