On February 28, the BCCI made waves by revealing the annual retainership for senior men’s team cricketers for the 2023-24 cycle. Surprisingly, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, pivotal figures in India’s ODI World Cup journey last year, were notably absent from the contract list. However, social media users wasted no time in concocting their own theories, adding a twist to the intriguing saga surrounding this unexpected exclusion.
Propagandist X handle named Dr Nimo Yadav Commentary wrote, “He is Shreyas Iyer, ICT Batsman. He was born in Hindu family and he is captain of SRK owned team KKR. He helped ICT to reach WC finals with 2 centuries, 3 half- centuries at 100+ SR. When India lost the WC final, shreyas didn’t like the idea of PM Modi barging into the dressing room for his PR, he was seen frustrated in the video. His video went viral at that time and today BCCI has cancelled his contract. Now tell me, is it okay to cancel his contract over one video? Sahib is most insecure person on this planet.”
He is Shreyas Iyer, ICT Batsman.
— Dr Nimo Yadav Commentary (@niiravmodi) February 28, 2024
He was born in Hindu family and he is captain of SRK owned team KKR.
He helped ICT to reach WC finals with 2 centuries, 3 half- centuries at 100+ SR.
When India lost the WC final, shreyas didn’t like the idea of PM Modi barging into the… pic.twitter.com/sWt3bZjo1D
An X handle named Amaan wrote, “Shreyas Iyer in World Cup 2023: Innings : 10 Runs : 526 Average : 70 100s : 2 50s : 3 When India lost the WC final, Shreyas didn’t like the idea of PM Modi barging into the dressing room for his PR, he was seen frustrated in the video. Now Bcci cancelled his contract.”
Shreyas Iyer in World Cup 2023 :
— Amaan (@amaanhooyaar) February 28, 2024
Innings : 10
Runs : 526
Average : 70
100s : 2
50s : 3
When India lost the WC final, shreyas didn’t like the idea of PM Modi barging into the dressing room for his PR, he was seen frustrated in the video.
Now Bcci cancelled his contract 😢 pic.twitter.com/7g4WofLVfv
Another X handle named Abhishek wrote, Modiji ko attitude dikhane ka natija.
Modiji ko attitude dikhane ka natija🤣pic.twitter.com/JJeSDyVo0N
— Abhishek (@be_mewadi) February 28, 2024
So, is it true that BCCI canceled Shreyas Iyer’s contract because Shreyas didn’t like the idea of PM Modi barging into the dressing room for his PR after India lost the WC final? Let’s Fact Check.
Fact Check
During our investigation, we first did a keyword research with the relevant keywords. During this, we stumbled upon a revealing report from The Indian Express dated February 29, 2024. According to this report, the BCCI dropped Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from the annual contract list. The decisive move followed the duo’s refusal to participate in domestic matches, despite a stern directive from BCCI secretary Jay Shah to all the contracted players to feature in domestic cricket. Shreyas cited back and groin pain for his absence in Ranji matches, yet the BCCI’s medical team, led by Nitin Patel, found no fitness issues.
Delving deeper into our investigation, a revealing report from ESPN Cricinfo, dated February 28, 2023, exposed critical insights. According to this report, just two weeks prior, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah dispatched a stern letter to centrally contracted players, cautioning against prioritizing the IPL over domestic and national duties, emphasizing “severe implications.” Even India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, echoed this sentiment, asserting that players demonstrating unwavering hunger for Test cricket would be prioritized. Iyer mentioned feeling uncomfortable in his back during extended innings, but the medical team found no injury. However, when omitted from the third and fourth Tests, the BCCI remained mum. Adding to the puzzle, Iyer’s absence from a Ranji Trophy match due to reported back spasms clashed with his presence at the Kolkata Knight Riders’ pre-season camp, leaving selectors displeased and raising questions about contract eligibility.
A BCCI official, speaking to ESPNcricinfo, emphasized that the selectors have faith in the players’ abilities. However, a crucial dilemma arises when the National Cricket Academy (NCA) confirms a player’s fitness, but the same player isn’t making themselves available for the Test series. This quandary prompts the BCCI to question the rationale of offering a contract under such circumstances.
After this, we scoured YouTube for the rumored video of PM Modi visiting the Indian cricket team’s dressing room. To our surprise, we stumbled upon an official video on the PMO India YouTube channel titled “PM Modi Meets the Men in Blue, Comforts Indian Cricket Team After World Cup Final,” posted on November 21, 2023. At the 55-second mark, the video plainly shows Shreyas Iyer shaking hands with PM Modi, debunking the claim that he disliked the Prime Minister’s presence in the dressing room.
Hence all these points prove that the BCCI did not cancel Shreyas Iyer’s contract because Shreyas didn’t like the idea of PM Modi barging into the dressing room for his PR after India lost the WC final. Iyer’s contract got canceled because Iyer said he had back and groin pain, but the BCCI’s doctors found nothing. Apart from this, the selectors didn’t like that Iyer attended a Kolkata Knight Riders’ camp instead of playing for Mumbai in Ranji Matches.
| Claim | BCCI cancels Shreyas Iyer’s contract because Shreyas didn’t like the idea of PM Modi barging into the dressing room for his PR after India lost the WC final |
| Claimed by | Dr Nimo Yadav Commentary, Amaan, etc |
| Fact Check | Misleading |
Also Read: Truth Behind The Viral Video Showing PM Modi Waving Hand From Sudarshan Setu Towards Sea
