Ishan Kishan, though absent from the Indian cricket lineup since the T20I series against Australia in November, finds himself under the spotlight for reasons beyond his on-field performance. Recent reports indicate his exclusion from the ongoing series against Afghanistan, attributing it to alleged issues of discipline and trust.
Contrary to such claims, head coach Rahul Dravid refutes any disciplinary concerns, asserting that Kishan, aged 25, had sought a break during the South Africa tour, a request that was accommodated. Dravid emphasizes that there is no ongoing disciplinary issue, clarifying that Kishan has not made himself available for selection since the agreed break.
In response, Kishan shares a video on his social media platforms, presenting his perspective amid the controversy. However, his situation remains complicated, as he is yet to make himself available for selection in his state team, Jharkhand, according to Debasish Chakraborty, the secretary of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association.
While Dravid maintains there are no disciplinary concerns, he outlines a path for Kishan’s return to the national side – playing domestic cricket to regain eligibility for selection. Despite this directive, Kishan has not yet communicated his availability to Jharkhand, leaving his return uncertain.
The backdrop of Virat Kohli’s return to the T20I squad adds complexity to Kishan’s prospects. Although Kohli missed the first T20I against Afghanistan, his expected return in Indore could impact Kishan’s chances, especially in light of the competition for top-order spots with players like Shubman Gill vying for positions alongside Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have been named the opening pair by Rahul Dravid. As the cricketing landscape evolves, Kishan’s journey back into contention appears to be intertwined with both on-field performance and off-field considerations.
