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WATCH: Shreyas Iyer opens up about missing out on BCCI's central contract

Cricket: Star India batter and IPL-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer has finally spoken up about the circumstances that led to his removal from the BCCI central contract list.

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Varun Sarwate
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Star India batter and IPL-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer has finally spoken up about the circumstances that led to his removal from the BCCI central contract list. The right-handed batter disclosed how a lack of communication and ongoing physical difficulties cost him his position in the Indian side and the much sought-after central contract.

However, Iyer made a stunning return, winning two trophies with his teams. Iyer was a member of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy-winning side before leading KKR to their third IPL triumph in a near-perfect season. Shreyas Iyer posted a video on Friday evening addressing his absence, a lack of communication, and decisions that "did not go in his favor."

While he did not specifically state it, there were strong signs that he was alluding to the BCCI contract snub and the ensuing criticism he received. In his video, Iyer recounted his side of the story, emphasizing his desire to work on his fitness after the World Cup.

According to India Today, "I had a terrific World Cup and I wanted to take a break after that and wanted to work on my body and build some strength around certain areas. Due to lack of communication, there were some decisions, that didn't go in my favor," Shreyas Iyer stated on his YouTube channel.

Iyer was determined to let his bat do the talking, and he responded to his setback with outstanding performances in local cricket and the IPL. "At the end of the day, the bat will always be in my hands, and it is my responsibility to perform and win trophies. I knew that if I won the Ranji Trophy and the IPL, it would be an appropriate response to whatever had transpired in the past. Fortunately, everything fell into the proper spot. "We have a lot of trophies to win in the future," he said.

Watch here the video:

Shreyas Iyer's fitness problems 

Shreyas Iyer's fitness issues started in March of last year when he had a back problem. Despite this setback, he made an impressive return, playing in the Asia Cup in September and then the ODI World Cup. His performance in the World Cup was nothing short of spectacular, as he finished as India's third-highest run-scorer with 530 runs, including two centuries and three half-centuries, to help the country finish second.

Following the World Cup, Iyer was called up for a Test series against South Africa, however his performance in the two Tests was disappointing, and he also made his first participation in the Ranji Trophy since the 2018-19 season later that month. Iyer was picked to the team for the home Test series against England but was dropped on complaints of back spasms after the first two tests.

Despite being approved for selection, the BCCI wanted him to play in the Ranji Trophy while not with the national team. Despite being medically cleared, Iyer elected to forgo the Ranji games, claiming back problems. This decision did not sit well with the BCCI, who removed Shreyas from the central contract list for the 2024-25 season.

BCCI cricket Indian Cricket Team Shreyas Iyer
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