BCCI annual contracts: Read why Indian board dropped Suresh Raina from the list despite him being a senior player

New Delhi: Many have termed the exclusion of Suresh Raina from the central contract of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as harsh, with his fans asking the reason behind such a drastic action.

Well, it emerged that India's limited-overs specialist was himself to be blamed for it. According to reports, the 30-year-old is now considered a "reluctant cricketer", apparently more focused on his family and setting up his own business.

Uttar Pradesh coach claimed that since his marriage in 2015, the all-rounder has shifted his priorities, and cricket has become a pastime.

"His priorities have changed after he became a family man. I have noticed that he has not been concentrating on his game. He has become a reluctant cricketer. He just played three Ranji matches for UP this season and didn't turn out for Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare tournaments," Mid-day quoted the coach as saying on Thursday.

The Committee of Administrators (COA) of the Indian cricket board met yesterday to decide on the Annual Player Contracts for the period ending 30 September 2017. And to the shock of many, Raina failed to make the cut in any of the three grades released by the BCCI.

"With so many youngsters on the horizon, his chances of a comeback into Indian Test or ODI teams are bleak. He can still eye the T20s, but it will depend a lot on his IPL form where he will lead Gujarat Lions again," the coach said.

Raina recently made his comeback to the team and played in the T20I series against England. He was later named the captain of the UP team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but didn’t participate in the domestic 50-over tournament.

He was also overlooked for the Deodhar Trophy, not finding a spot in either of the India Blue or Red teams.

Raina was one of the Grade A players in 2014-15, and was dropped to Grade B last term.