The recent announcement of the central contracts by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stirred up conversations within the cricketing community. While some players have seen upgrades in their contract statuses, others, like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were excluded from the list.
Kuldeep Yadav upgraded to Grade B contract
Meanwhile, Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who previously held a Grade C contract, has been awarded a Grade B contract this year. This elevation in his contract grade signifies the recognition of his contributions to the team’s success.
Coach Asserts Kuldeep’s deserves more
However, Kuldeep’s childhood coach Kapil Dev Pandey reckoned that his protege deserves even more recognition for his stellar performances. Pandey expressed his disappointment with the BCCI’s decision, stating that Kuldeep’s consistent display of skill on the field should have earned him a Grade A contract.
“Kuldeep is perhaps one of the best in the world, at the moment. He should have been promoted to Grade A. He has been performing consistently well, but I am sure he will achieve that place soon,” said Pandey as quoted by Inside Sports.
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Stellar performances highlights Kuldeep’s talent
Kuldeep’s performances in recent international tournaments, particularly the 2023 World Cup held in India, have been commendable. With 15 wickets in 11 matches and an economy rate of 4.45, the Chinaman played a crucial role in India’s campaign.
Coach’s encouragement amid contract controversy
Despite the disappointment surrounding Kuldeep’s contract grade, coach Pandey remains optimistic about his protege’s future. He emphasized the importance of focusing solely on the game and encouraged Kuldeep to continue delivering stellar performances.
“Whatever, opportunity he is getting currently, he is delivering tremendously. I spoke to him a few days back and told him to keep up the spirit and don’t bother about anything else and focus only on the game,” Pandey added.
