Ishan Kishan’s BCCI Contract Raises Eyebrows: A Fair Reward or Selective Leniency?

Add as a preferred source on Google

BCCI Contract: When the BCCI released its list of centrally contracted players for the 2024-25 season on Monday, 21st April, one name that drew considerable attention was that of Ishan Kishan.

The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who was omitted from the 2023-24 list amid questions around his commitment and availability, has now been placed in Grade C, sparking fresh debate among fans and insiders alike: Why was he included this time around?

From Mental Health Break to IPL Comeback

Kishan hasn't represented India in any format since November 2023. Midway through the South Africa tour, he opted out, citing mental fatigue, and remained absent through the entire 2023-24 domestic season. While such breaks are entirely valid and mental health must be prioritized, it didn't go unnoticed that during this hiatus, Kishan was seen training privately in Baroda with then-IPL captain Hardik Pandya.

What irked many, including reportedly the selectors and then-coach Rahul Dravid, was Kishan's reluctance to return to the domestic circuit to prove form and fitness-something Dravid publicly emphasized was necessary for a national team comeback. He was also unavailable for selection during the England Test series in early 2024.

A Questionable IPL 2025 Run

Fast forward to the 2025 Indian Premier League, and Kishan seemed to begin his redemption arc by blasting a century in the opening game for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals. But since that fiery return, his form has nosedived. He has not crossed the 20-run mark in any innings after that, with a highest score of just 17 in subsequent matches.

Domestic Participation: A Token Gesture?

Kishan did return to domestic cricket-but only briefly. He captained Jharkhand in just two Ranji matches in the 2024-25 season, scoring a lone century against Railways. Both matches ended in draws. While it was a step in the right direction, it was hardly a sustained show of commitment.

So, Why the Central Contract?

Under the BCCI's official guidelines, a player must have featured in at least three Tests, eight ODIs, or 10 T20Is during the evaluation period to automatically qualify for a Grade C contract on a pro-rata basis. However, Ishan does not meet these criteria. He played no international cricket within the eligible window and was not awarded a contract last year either, making his inclusion this year puzzling.

This raises uncomfortable but relevant questions:

Has the change in head coach played a role?

With Rahul Dravid no longer at the helm, is the environment around selection and contracts now more flexible-or politically influenced?

Is there an internal push to keep IPL stars like Kishan happy, even if their national commitment is questionable?

And most importantly-does this send the wrong message to players grinding in the domestic circuit who follow the rules and yet remain unrecognized?

Ishan Kishan is undeniably talented-his ODI double hundred against Bangladesh is a testament to that. But the timing and basis of his BCCI contract in 2024-25 raise more questions than they answer. Without substantial international or domestic contributions in the evaluation period, his inclusion seems more like an exception than a reward.