Hardik Pandya and Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: X(Twitter) The ongoing controversy over the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) central contracts has the cricket fraternity in a chokehold.

The likes of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan were snubbed from getting a central contract due to their negligence and absence from the domestic red-ball circuit. However, it is interesting to note that star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been given a Grade A contract despite not playing in the Ranji Trophy, whereas Kishan and Iyer have been denied on similar grounds.

Seeing the situation, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra came forward in Hardik Pandya's defence and opined that his contract situation cannot be compared with the likes of Kishan and Iyer. Furthermore, the ex-India opener also said that if Pandya's body isn't fit to play multi-day games, so be it, let him not force to play Tests or first-class cricket for that matter.

Hardik Pandya's case is very simple. Why would you punish him if he has not made a mistake? He is not playing red-ball cricket. That ambition or aspiration does not exist anymore. He has not said that as such, but the truth is that he is not available at all for any Test series," Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

"So if you are not at all auditioning for Tests, no one will ask you to play first-class cricket, Why would you play four-day games when you don't have that much strength in your body to bowl so many overs and have injury problems? So why should he play - fair play," he added.