Amidst speculation surrounding Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan’s absence from the India vs Afghanistan T20I series and the subsequent statement by coach Rahul Dravid that Kishan needs to play domestic cricket before making a comeback, Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Secretary Debasish Chakraborty revealed that Kishan has not contacted the association or provided information about his availability for the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
When contacted by PTI, Chakraborty stated, “No, Ishan hasn’t contacted us or told us anything about his availability. Whenever he tells us, he will walk into the playing XI.” This uncertainty raises questions about Kishan’s participation in the England Tests later this month, especially considering he has not played any cricket for seven weeks.
Rahul Dravid, addressing the media before the first India vs Afghanistan T20I, clarified that there is no disciplinary action against Ishan Kishan and mentioned that the player had requested a break during the South Africa tour, which was supported by the team management. Dravid emphasized that Kishan needs to make himself available for selection by playing domestic cricket.
Regarding another player, Shreyas Iyer, not being selected for the T20I series against Afghanistan, Dravid dismissed rumors of any disciplinary issues. He explained that the decision was due to the challenge of accommodating all the batsmen in the squad and playing eleven, and it was not related to discipline concerns. Dravid acknowledged that Iyer is a fine player but stressed the difficulty in fitting everyone into the team.
The uncertainties surrounding Ishan Kishan’s availability for domestic cricket and potential selection in future matches create intrigue around the left-hander’s return to competitive cricket.