Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube on spotlight for missing Ranji Trophy Match

Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Shivam Dube have face criticism after deciding to rest and not play in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against the Railways. The match began on December 25, just a couple of days after the last match of the India-West Indies ODI series.

Mumbai heavily suffered in their absence as they were defeat by ten wickets in three days. It has made things worse for the youngsters as they faced severe criticism after the defeat. Despite the India-Sri Lanka T20I series to start way after the Ranji Trophy game, they opt to rest.

On the other hand, Shardul Thakur who was part of team’s squad against West Indies willfully played the game for Mumbai while Dube did not play despite not getting the opportunity in the last two ODIs against West Indies.

Former Indian batsman Vinod Kambli also joined the party and criticised both the players for not playing the Ranji Trophy match.

““Mumbai team ni mast dabba ghatla (Mumbai team put out a very poor show. Very poor from the team. Disappointed to see @ Shreyaslyer15 & glamShivam-Dube not being a part of the Mumbai set up for this game when the international game is 5 days away. Would like to see the best team playing when possible. #RanjiTrophy,” he tweeted.

Mumbai team ni मस्त डब्बा घातला।
Very poor from the team. Disappointed to see @ShreyasIyer15 & @IamShivamDube not being a part of the Mumbai set up for this game when the international game is 5 days away. Would like to see the best team playing when possible. #RanjiTrophy

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) December 27, 2019

Former Mumbai opener Shishir Hattangadi took to his official Twitter handle to question as well that why Iyer didn’t turn up for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy game.

““Why are @ShreyasIyer15 #shivamdube not turning up for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy? Have they been asked to rest? @RaviShastriOfc,” he tweeted.

Why are @ShreyasIyer15 #shivamdube not turning up for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy? Have they been asked to rest? @RaviShastriOfc

— shishir hattangadi (@shishhattangadi) December 27, 2019

Meanwhile, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) have released a statement regarding this issue where they clearly stated that the MCA selectors may be asked to not select them in future till they provide a valid explanation for their no-show.

“It’s an unfortunate episode for Mumbai cricket. They told us that they had been ‘advised rest’ by the BCCI. However, when we checked with the selectors, we were told that there was no such instruction sent out to them from the selectors, at least. So, who asked them to rest? The physio of the Indian or the trainer? Or did they choose to rest themselves and fired from the Board’s shoulder?”

“This is something that no one in the MCA, including the selectors, has appreciated. This issue will surely be discussed in the next Apex Council meeting of the association. We may take some sort of action soon,” a MCA spokesperson said.