MUMBAI: In a significant move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has included Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan in the National Cricket Academy’s (NCA) High Performance Monitoring Programme for the upcoming 2024-25 domestic cricket season. This inclusion comes nearly two months after the duo was excluded from the BCCI’s central contracts list, a decision taken by the Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee due to their absence from Ranji Trophy matches last season.
Lifeline for Iyer and Kishan
The decision to include Iyer and Kishan in this programme is seen as a lifeline and an opportunity for redemption. According to a well-placed source within the BCCI, the national selection committee harbors no ill will towards the two players. Instead, it is a message that if Iyer and Kishan demonstrate a renewed commitment to domestic cricket and perform well for their state teams, Mumbai and Jharkhand respectively, their central contracts could be restored, and they may find themselves back in the Indian team.
Performance and Potential
Shreyas Iyer, who has successfully led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 playoffs, and Ishan Kishan, despite his Mumbai Indians being knocked out at the league stage, remain key figures in Indian cricket. Their inclusion in the High Performance Monitoring Programme is a clear signal that they are still on the selectors’ radar.
Emerging Talents and Established Performers
The NCA’s list also includes notable performers from domestic cricket who are on the cusp of national selection. Among these are Mumbai allrounder Musheer Khan, who impressed in the Under-19 World Cup and played a crucial role in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy triumph last season. Other names include pacers Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Harshit Rana, and Khaleel Ahmed, along with batsmen Riyan Parag, Ashutosh Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sai Kishore.
Upcoming NCA Camp
The selected 30 players are expected to participate in a month-long camp at the new state-of-the-art NCA facility near Bengaluru. This camp, overseen by NCA chairman VVS Laxman, is part of the BCCI’s efforts to nurture and monitor the performance of these players, ensuring they are ready for higher honors.
Focus on Domestic Commitment
The inclusion of Iyer and Kishan in this programme underscores the BCCI’s emphasis on the importance of domestic cricket. It serves as a reminder to all players that consistent performances in domestic competitions are crucial for maintaining or regaining a place in the national setup.
Conclusion
The BCCI’s move to include Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan in the NCA’s High Performance Monitoring Programme marks a pivotal moment in their careers. It provides them with an opportunity to prove their dedication to domestic cricket and reclaim their spots in the Indian team. Alongside emerging talents, this initiative by the BCCI aims to bolster the pipeline of skilled cricketers ready to make an impact at the international level.
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