Ishan Kishan, the wicket-keeper batter, raised eyebrows when he withdrew from the South Africa Test series, citing ‘personal reasons.’ While he was reportedly available for the T20I squad against Afghanistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to exclude him, opting for Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma as wicket-keepers.
The confusion surrounding Ishan’s absence stems from a complex situation. Initially, he expressed mental fatigue from constantly being on the bench during the Test series. However, reports surfaced of him partying in Dubai, which didn’t sit well with the BCCI selectors and team management.
It’s revealed that Ishan initially wanted to sit out of the Australia T20I series post the ODI World Cup but faced rejection. Similarly, his request to miss the white-ball series against South Africa was also turned down. Frustrated, Ishan finally convinced the BCCI to release him during the Test series against South Africa, citing mental fatigue and a desire to spend time with his family.
A source mentioned, “He told the team management that he has mental fatigue because he had been on the road continuously and wanted to spend time with his family back home. Instead, he chose to travel to Dubai and was seen partying.”
Ishan Kishan went to Dubai to celebrate his brother’s birthday
On the contrary, those close to Ishan argued that it shouldn’t matter where he spends his off time. They clarified that he went to Dubai to celebrate his brother’s birthday. The defense was rooted in the belief that, given a break, it doesn’t matter where a player spends their time, especially when mental fatigue is a significant concern.
Concerns have now emerged that Ishan might be out of contention for the T20 World Cup, considering the Afghanistan series is Team India’s last before the mega event. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20 format has heightened competition for top-order batting spots. Yet, if Ishan performs exceptionally well for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming season, selectors may have no choice but to consider him for the T20 World Cup.
