As per the report, Hardik Pandya would've been axed from the BCCI contract, but this assurance saved him
Both Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were excluded from the Board of Control for Cricket in India list of centrally contracted players due to not playing in domestic tournaments. A number of experts commented on this move, and it also led to the start of a conversation about the all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was handed a Grade A contract despite not taking part in Ranji Trophy matches. According to a news report, Hardik was handed the contract after he assured BCCI and selectors of his participation in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s and Vijay Hazare Trophy if he had no commitments with the national team.
During the Cricket World Cup 2023, Hardik Pandya injured his ankle and remained out of action until making his return to competitive cricket in the DY Patil tournament.
The official said, "We have had discussions with Pandya, who has been told to play domestic white-ball tournaments when he is available. At this stage, according to the assessment of the BCCI's medical team, he is not in a position to bowl in red-ball tournaments. So playing Ranji Trophy is out of the equation for Pandya. But he has to play in other white-ball tournaments if there are no India commitments. If not, he will miss out on a contract.”