IND vs SA Test: Ishan Kishan opts out of India vs South Africa Tests citing “mental fatigue”

IND vs SA Test: It’s been quite a long rope for young Indian wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan, however, he hasn’t got a long run in the team and only got limited opportunities in the ongoing year when some of the regular players become unavailable. Things have been pretty messed up for Ishan as far as his position in the Indian side is concerned and the cricketer has subsequently taken a break from cricket.

Ishan Kishan, who was once considered a worthy contender to assume a wicketkeeping role in the Indian side, was constantly benched since the start of 2023. The glovesman only got opportunities to feature in the playing11 during the absence of some or the other regular players.

The Southpaw got opportunities in the first two games of the ODI World Cup 2023 but was later benched for the remainder of the event after Shubman Gill became available for selection.

He featured in the first three matches of the IND vs AUS home T20I series, in which he scored two fifties, but the batter had to warm benches for the last two games of the series. He was available for the recently concluded India vs South Africa T20I series, but a far young Jitesh Sharma was picked by the management ahead of him.

Ishan Kishan has been a part of every Indian squad since the start of the year, however, he only got a handful of opportunities to showcase his prowesses, which ultimately pushed him to take a break from the upcoming India vs South Africa Test series.

IND vs SA Test: Ishan Kishan Released from the Squad

The Jharkhand batter, who was a part of India’s intra-day and test squad for the upcoming two-game test series against the Proteas, requested the management to release him from the squad, a couple of days ago.

Following the request, the All India Senior Selection Committee allowed Kishan to withdraw from the South Africa series, and subsequently named wicketkeeper batter KS Bharat as his replacement for the tour.

“Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicketkeeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad. The men’s selection committee has named KS Bharat as a replacement,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah had stated in its press release.

However, sources in the know of the development confirmed that Ishan Kishan was having mental breakdowns and thus requested the board for a break.

“He informed the team management that he is having mental fatigue and wants a break from cricket for some time. Everyone agreed to it,” as per a report published in the Indian Express.

Team India is scheduled to take on South Africa for the two-game test series, starting December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurian. The two teams will then head to Cape Town for the second test of the series.

Below is the complete schedule for the IND vs SA test series:

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For more details head to ICC’s official website.