“Apply to all,” Irfan Pathan DEMANDS Hardik Pandya to play domestic white-ball matches after BCCI’s strict mandate

This unusual move from the BCCI drew mixed reactions from the Indian cricket fraternity.

“Apply to all,” Irfan Pathan DEMANDS Hardik Pandya to play domestic white-ball matches after BCCI’s strict mandate

Hardik Pandya, Irfan Pathan (Images via ESPNcricinfo, X)

On Wednesday (February 28), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the annual central contract list. In what seemed like an unprecedented move from the BCCI, they decided to remove Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer for continuously ignoring the board’s strict order of featuring in the Ranji Trophy.

Iyer, who was dropped from the squad for the Test series against England due to his poor form, was in Grade B in last year’s contract. Kishan, who did not feature in India’s matches since opting himself out of the Test series in South Africa after playing the T20I series against Australia, was in Grade C.

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This unusual move from the BCCI drew mixed reactions from the Indian cricket fraternity. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan opined that BCCI’s new rule should apply to everyone, including Hardik Pandya who is not featuring in the Ranji Trophy.

They are talented cricketers, both Shreyas and Ishan. Hoping they bounce back and come back stronger. If players like Hardik don't want to play red-ball cricket, should he and others like him participate in white-ball domestic cricket when they aren't on national duty? If this doesn't apply to all, then Indian cricket won't achieve the desired results!
Pathan wrote on X

Check his post here:

Why is Hardik Pandya’s case the same as Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer when it comes to the Ranji Trophy?

Hardik Pandya injured himself during India’s match against Bangladesh in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Since then, he has not featured in any matches for the national team.

Irfan Pathan
Hardik Pandya (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

However, he returned to competitive cricket after his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy. But instead of any domestic matches, he chose to play in the DY Patil tournament.

Pandya is excluded from the BCCI mandate of Ranji Trophy participation. His body cannot handle the rigors of red-ball cricket, which is why he doesn’t play Tests for India as well. His last first-class match for Baroda was against Mumbai in 2018. He has played just 11 Test matches, since his debut in 2017.

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