In a first, BCCI hands out fast bowling contracts

MUMBAI: The BCCI awarded fast bowling contracts to Akash Deep, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa on Wednesday, along with the list of players with central contracts for the 2023–24 season. These pacers have all either played for India or are expected to do so. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative to support up-and-coming fast bowlers.

“In addition to the annual contracts, India’s selection committee also recommended fast bowling contracts for certain players, acknowledging their specialised skills and potential contributions in the bowling department,” said the BCCI.

Umran Malik, who achieved 150 kmph during the IPL-2022, is a welcome surprise on the list since he hasn’t played for the Indian squad in the last 12 months. Giving Malik a contract is a way of telling the 24-year-old that he still matters. Malik’s promise was on display in the IPL 2022 when he got several wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite playing just five Ranji Trophy matches this season and taking only four wickets at a price of 38.50.
List of contracts with BCCI
Yash Dayal, an outstanding left-arm seamer from Uttar Pradesh who played for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL the previous season, is another unexpected name on the list. In an IPL encounter, Rinku Singh of the Kolkata Knight Riders struck Dayal with five straight sixes.
Nonetheless, the national selectors acknowledged and praised the 26-year-old’s promise. During the IPL auction last year, Dayal also won an IPL contract for Rs 5 crore with the RCB.

Akash Deep of Bengal had a memorable Test debut on Day One of the fourth Test at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, taking three wickets for 83 against England.
In the Ranji quarterfinals in Nagpur, Kaverappa—who played for India A against the England Lions in January in Ahmedabad—took 10 wickets (4/99 & 6/61) for Karnataka against Vidarbha.
In the IPL, Vyshak made an impression for RCB and Karnataka. In the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy, Vyshak grabbed 39 wickets in eight matches at a rate of 23.61, while Kaverappa took 25 wickets in five matches at a rate of 20.16 for Karnataka.