The latest BCCI central contracts list for the 2023-24 season, announced on Wednesday, February 28, saw the removal of seven familiar faces who were part of last season’s roll.
Perhaps the most striking omissions are those of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan. Both players have encountered certain issues that have been alleged to displease the BCCI, as stated in the press note, which led to their non-consideration.
In addition to Shreyas and Ishan, other players too, saw their names left off the BCCI central contracts list. This lot included a few cricket veterans who have gracefully served the team over time but seem to have recently lost BCCI’s favour and missed securing a spot.
Here are five Indian players that were formerly included on the BCCI central contracts list but are now eliminated.
1. Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara played his final Test for India in June 2023, and despite a successful domestic career, he does not appear to be in their long-term plans.
Pujara, one of India’s greatest-ever Test batsmen, has played 103 red-ball matches for his country, scoring 7195 runs at an average of 43.6. He has 35 fifties and 19 centuries in what is regarded as the most difficult format in the game.
Nonetheless, as India transitions to a younger team, Pujara’s consistent performance dip led to his omission. It would be quite astonishing to witness him on the contract roster for the upcoming season.
2. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan, like Pujara, played only one format for the national team before losing his spot to the new generation. Shubman Gill replaced the experienced southpaw, who has not played international cricket since December 2022, in the ODI squad.
For the Men in Blue, Dhawan has participated in 34 Test matches, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). It’s in the 50-over game where he’s reached his pinnacle, racking up 6793 runs at a running average of 44.11 and with a 91.35 strike rate.
Dhawan failed to conform to the current ODI game’s run-scoring expectations, and his average performance in 2022 earned him a move away from the selectors. He may be unable to make a comeback, despite captaining the Punjab Kings in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
3. Umesh Yadav
The new World Test Championship cycle has seen India lose youth, with Umesh Yadav among those cut. Like Pujara, the fast bowler had his final appearance for the national squad in June.
Umesh, a veteran of 57 Tests, has 170 wickets at an average of 30.95 in the format. He improved his performance at home and now averages an astounding 25.58 in India.
Umesh did play a T20I in 2022, but it was only a stopgap solution; he was never considered for restricted overs. Interestingly, while he may participate extensively for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024, an international comeback is unlikely.
4. Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda, the youngest player on this list, is over a year away from turning 30. However, a bad run of form has resulted in the batting all-rounder’s removal off the BCCI central contracts list.
Hooda last played a T20I for India in February 2023 and did not play any ODIs in the preceding calendar year. His poor IPL performance for the Lucknow Super Giants jeopardized his prospects of being a member of the Indian squad, and his subsequent domestic record has also been inconsistent.
Hooda still has time on his side, so he may return to competition in the future years.
5. Yuzvendra Chahal
It has been a long time coming, but India appears to have finally moved on from Yuzvendra Chahal. The leg-spinner last played a T20I in August 2023 and was not included in the ODI squad ahead of the World Cup.
Chahal is the country’s highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket, with 96 wickets in 80 matches with an economy rate of 8.19. He has also performed well in one-day internationals, but his recent record has been unconvincing.
With players like Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi performing well, the selectors made the correct decision to end Chahal’s international career. The 33-year-old may continue to play for the Men in Blue, but a key deal may also elude him in the future.
