The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed certain cricketers, including Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, to immediately join their respective state teams for the upcoming round of Ranji Trophy matches, as reported by Cricbuzz.

As per the report, the board communicated via email to enforce discipline among the players. Allegedly, the BCCI expressed dissatisfaction with some players not utilizing their time effectively and simply waiting for the start of IPL 2024.

All players who are not currently on national duty or undergoing injury rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) have been sent this email directive. They are required to join their Ranji teams for the upcoming round of matches, scheduled to commence on February 16.

“Players cannot simply prioritize international cricket or the IPL,” a BCCI official told Cricbuzz. “They must make themselves available for domestic cricket and honour their commitments to their respective state teams.”

Ishan Kishan’s extended absence has sparked recent discussions. The wicketkeeper-batsman’s last appearance was during the home T20I series against Australia in November 2023.

In December of the same year, Kishan opted out of the Test series in South Africa due to personal reasons. Since then, the left-handed player has not been included in any Indian squads.

India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, emphasized on several occasions that Ishan Kishan must participate in cricket matches to be considered for national selection.

Despite this advice, Kishan did not make himself available for selection for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season. Instead, reports have emerged indicating that Kishan has resumed training alongside the Pandya brothers – Hardik and Krunal – in Baroda.

The BCCI’s directive also affects Shreyas Iyer, who has been excluded from India’s squad for the remaining three Tests against England. While the board did not provide specific reasons for his omission, numerous reports suggested that Iyer’s poor batting form led to his exclusion.

This directive also encompasses other players such as Krunal Pandya and Deepak Chahar, who have not participated in Ranji Trophy matches this season.