Last week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced that three players from the initial Test squad for the South Africa series would be unavailable. Ruturaj Gaikwad was released due to a finger injury sustained during the ODI series, Mohammed Shami stayed back in India to recover from an ankle injury, and Ishan Kishan opted out for “personal reasons.”
However, recent reports suggest that Ishan Kishan’s decision to skip the series was primarily due to “mental fatigue” arising from constant travel and a lack of sufficient game time. The Indian Express reported that Ishan had approached the team management last week, expressing his need for a break after a year of continuous travel. The wicketkeeper-batter’s request for some time away from cricket due to mental fatigue was discussed with the selectors and granted.
Previously BCCI cited that Ishan Kishan withdrew due to “Personal Reasons”
Although the BCCI’s official statement initially cited “personal reasons” for Ishan’s withdrawal, it has now been clarified that mental fatigue was the underlying cause. The BCCI, in its press release, had named KS Bharat as Ishan’s replacement in the Test squad.
Ishan’s cricketing journey since January 3, 2023, involved limited consistent playing time despite being on the road. In the Border-Gavaskar series, he served as a backup to Bharat and played just one game in the subsequent ODI series against Australia. Following the IPL 2023 season, he traveled to England for the World Test Championship final but did not get a chance to play.
The selectors, acknowledging Ishan’s request and the need for a break, granted him the time off, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being in the high-pressure world of professional cricket. The team management and selectors supported Ishan’s decision, and his absence from the South Africa series marked a break for the young player to recharge and focus on his mental health.
