The talented wicketkeeper, Ishan Kishan, sadly didn’t make the cut for India’s cricket lineup for the three-game T20I series. The series, announced by the BCCI against Afghanistan, starts in Mohali, January 11. This shocking news hit fans on Sunday, January 7 when the cricket board made the team public.
According to several recent sources, Kishan’s dismissal from the squad was the result of disciplinary difficulties. A source with Indian Express informed them:
“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.”
“#IshanKishan told team management he has mental fatigue… wanted to spend time with his family back home. Instead, he was seen partying in Dubai”
Was it mistrust that led to dropping of Ishan from #INDvsAFG series?
By @venkatatweets & @pratyush93_rajhttps://t.co/83uuHqISEq— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) January 10, 2024
The selectors received harsh criticism from X (previously Twitter) users for leaving Kishan off of the Afghanistan T20I series. Someone posted this:
Here are some more reactions:
In preparation for the two-match Test series in South Africa, Kishan recently pulled out of the Indian squad. Earlier in the three-match T20I series against the Proteas, he warmed the bench.
BCCI said in a statement:
“Mr Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Mr KS Bharat as a replacement.”
After the ODI World Cup, Kishan’s final T20I match was a home series against Australia. In two World Cup games, the wicketkeeper-batter also scored 47 runs. For the 50-over series in South Africa, he was rested.
Aakash Chopra questions Ishan Kishan’s omission from India’s T20I squad vs Afghanistan
After Ishan Kishan was left out of India’s team for the Twenty20 International Series against Afghanistan, former cricketer Aakash Chopra recently questioned the selection committee. The former cricket player turned pundit wrote on X:
“Where is Ishan Kishan? Any news on his availability?”
Not only Kishan but Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer were also out of India’s T20I team. A series of three matches will signal the return of Indian leader Rohit Sharma and champion hitter Virat Kohli to the succinct 20-over format. This marks their first game in the briefest version post the 2022 T20 World Cup.
On January 11, the first Twenty20 International between Afghanistan and India will take place at Mohali. After that, the following two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) would be played in Bengaluru and Indore on January 14 and 17, respectively.