Shreyas Iyer deserves a lot more respect, at least give his central contract back

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On February 28, 2024 - the BCCI announced the annual central contracts for Indian men's cricket team, and left Shreyas Iyer, India's third-highest run-scorer in the World Cup 2023, out of it.

The reports then had emerged that Shreyas Iyer had complained about a back issue, and therefore did not turn up for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarter-final after being dropped from the India squad for the last three Tests against England.

However, the BCCI believed it was just an excuse from the right-hander to avoid playing Ranji Trophy matches. His presence at the KKR academy raised further eyebrows and a reportedly miffed BCCI selectors and officials decided to not even consider him for the central contracts.

Almost three months later, ahead of the IPL 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the 29-year-old reiterated the problem he was facing with his back. Shreyas, who has played 124 matches for India across formats, said no one understood him.

“I was definitely struggling after the World Cup, in terms of the longer format. When I raised my concern, no one was agreeing to it. But at the same time the competition is with myself," Shreyas said ahead of the IPL final.

24 hours later, Shreyas Iyer led KKR to IPL 2024 title triumph and received a cheque of Rs 20 crore and a glittering trophy from BCCI president Roger Binny and secretary Jay Shah.

Sharing one of the biggest stages in Indian cricket with the head of the cricketing body which stripped him off his central contract fuelled a wave of emotions in Shreyas Iyer. But Shreyas Iyer - only the the fifth Indian captain to win the IPL title - did well to keep his emotions in check in front of Ravi Shastri. His heart was full, and the flamboyant cricketer found it difficult to speak initially.

Delhi 'discard' now a celebrated 'knight' in Kolkata

The character Shreyas Iyer has shown isn't new. After being named the 'Emerging Player of the Season' in his debut IPL season with Delhi capitals in 2015, the Mumbai maverick took charge from Gautam Gambhir midway through the season in 2018.

He led Delhi Capitals in the playoffs in IPL 2019. They lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Qualifier 2. The following year, Delhi Capitals were in the final under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy.

Rishabh Pant was named the DC captain in 2021 after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out due to a shoulder injury in 2021. The tournament was halted after 29 matches due to Covid-19, and Iyer became fit and running by the time it resumed in September. However, the management persisted with Pant as captain.

KKR bought him for Rs 12.25 crore in the IPL 2022 auction and named him the captain. He missed the entire 2023 season due to injury, before returning to lead KKR to glory in IPL 2024. Delhi Capitals are still awaiting their maiden title.

Why Shreyas Iyer needs to be respected and celebrated?

While KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir is getting all the applause, one should not forget that it was Shreyas Iyer taking those crucial decisions in the middle, making the perfect bowling changes, placing the perfect field, and scoring handy runs.

After KKR were crowned the IPL 2024 champions, Ambati Rayudu minced no words in saying that Shreyas Iyer should be made the next India captain. He was in the reckoning once before the names of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant started doing the rounds.

Coming to lead the franchise and win the title after being dropped from the central contract of the national team is a story in itself. Thriving and making his presence felt around very strong characters like Gautam Gambhir, Chandrakant Pandit and Abhishek Nayar is a statement. He needs to be celebrated just like he is celebrating with the IPL trophy.

At least give Shreyas Iyer's central contract back

Players in the past have went on to play in World Cups after their exceptional performances in the IPL. For a player of Shreyas Iyer's stature can the BCCI not reinstate his central contract? He was the all format player for India throughout the last year. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has already praised his captaincy, and having a cool and calm head like Shreyas Iyer would not be a bad idea when three of the team's biggest stars are on the other side of 30.