How Hardik Pandya Got the Top-Notch Contract
Amid the ongoing talk about the BCCI’s contract decisions affecting Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, a surprising revelation sheds light on how Mumbai Indians’ recent captain, Hardik Pandya, smartly navigated through challenges and secured a Grade A central contract.
Former Bowling Maestro’s Perspective
Former bowling maestro Irfan Pathan, in a compelling post on X, voiced his opinions, questioning the fairness of the treatment meted out to Kishan and Iyer compared to the considerations for Pandya. Pathan raised pertinent questions, particularly probing whether players like Pandya, who show reluctance towards red-ball cricket, should be obliged to participate in white-ball domestic tournaments when not on national duty.
Pandya’s Strategic Commitments
So, how did Pandya manage to outsmart the contractual complexities? According to a detailed report by The Indian Express, Pandya presented a written commitment to the BCCI, assuring his availability for domestic cricket tournaments whenever he is not engaged with the Indian national team. The report specifies that Pandya pledged to participate in events like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s during periods without national white-ball matches.
READ MORE: Contract Trouble for Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer: BCCI’s Warning on Ranji Trophy Snub Takes a Toll
Consistent Presence at the National Cricket Academy
What turned the tide in Pandya’s favor, as per the IE report, was his consistent presence at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Pandya diligently reported his fitness status at regular intervals, offering assurances to the BCCI that he would actively partake in all domestic tournaments, provided there were no scheduling conflicts with international commitments.
Board’s Directives for Contracted Players
The report also discloses that the cricket board is set to issue clear instructions to all contracted players, emphasizing the obligation to report to their respective state teams. This directive follows instances where players were found attending IPL camps while absent from their state unit practices during crucial domestic matches. A case in point was Shreyas Iyer, spotted participating in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp while missing a Ranji Trophy match.
Intricacies of the Hardik Pandya Puzzle
Unveiling the factors that secured his top-tier central contract involves strategic commitments, regular fitness updates, and a grasp of the interplay between domestic and international cricket.
Note: All details are sourced from information available at the time of writing and may be subject to change.
