Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri recently spoke about the return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan back into the mix of the Indian team as BCCI handed them back their central contracts.
The BCCI recently announced a list of 34 cricketers who have been included as centrally contracted players ahead of India's next WTC campaign.
The big news was the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, along with the retention of Mohammed Shami, who made a return to the IPL after a long injury layoff.
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Ravi Shastri Impressed By Shreyas Iyer's Comeback For India
The BCCI had snubbed Kishan and Iyer's contracts as the duo did not participate in domestic cricket. In the process, both lost their form and their place in the national side.
Since then, both have worked hard on their game, especially Shreyas Iyer, who played important knocks for India in the Champions Trophy 2025. He ended as the top scorer for India in the tournament, scoring 243 runs at an average of 48.6 and being the side's solid rock at the number four position. In the process, he cemented his place in India's ODI side.
"I thought seeing Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan back in the mix, because what transpired there was between the team management, the BCCI and the individuals involved. I'm glad that there was communication, things have been sorted out and they get back their contracts. Shreyas Iyer in particular, the way he's played for India over the last 18 months and he's become like an absolute certainty in the white-ball format of the game, especially the one-day format, and the way he played in the Champions Trophy, demands recognition" said Shastri on the ICC Review to Sanjana Ganesan.
"They've literally banged the door down, but they were reprimanded. They were given the rap on the knuckles that at times is needed, but I'm glad all's well and settled," he added.
The former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator also spoke about Iyer's change in his batting technique that has helped him play with more freedom. He also explained how the change in his technique helped him to play the short balls better.
"He was very side on, was back and back, very much leg-side. The fact that he's prepared to go back and across now and with a very upright stance and the pick up. While he's moving back, the bat's being picked up as well when he's going back and across. That allows him to play both sides of the wicket. If they bang it in short, he can pull and hook. And if there's any room outside the off stump, he can cut as well. So that opens up the game for him rather than being too leg-side where the rib cage was being targeted and then there was no escape."
Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan are now both playing in the IPL. Iyer is leading the Punjab Kings and has scored 263 runs in eight games at an average of 43.83. Ishan Kishan started the season with a century against the Rajasthan Royals but has blown hot and cold since then.
Also Read: From Harshit Rana to Varun Chakravarthy - Players who got promoted to maiden BCCI central contract
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