Ishan Kishan Controversy Explained: Ishan Kishan’s prolonged absence from playing domestic cricket has come into the limelight once again after reports revealed that the young wicketkeeper batter was not pleased with the Indian management’s decision to overlook him and go ahead with the likes of Jitesh Sharma.
The matter was in the limelight a little while ago, when Ishan Kishan abruptly decided to leave the Indian camp during the India tour of South Africa. It was cited that Ishan made the decision and the BCCI respects it and will support the batter.
It was speculated earlier as well that Ishan Kishan’s handling hasn’t been up to the mark. Despite performing well in the limited opportunities in the T20Is, Ishan Kishan has done well. He was in India’s white-ball contingent for a year or so, but the batter didn’t get too many opportunities on the bounce.
The Indian management would play him in some odd games here and there, which seems to have irritated the cricketer.
Interestingly, Indian coach Rahul Dravid advised the glovesman to have some game time to earn a spot in the senior men’s side, however, Ishan Kishan hasn’t made himself available for the domestic season as of now.
“Whenever he [Ishan Kishan] is ready, I didn’t say he has to play domestic cricket; I said whenever he is ready… he needs to play some cricket and come back. The choice is his. We are not forcing him to do anything. We are in touch with him,” Dravid had clarified.
Since returning home midway through the South Africa series, Ishan Kishan hasn’t played a single domestic match. The southpaw hasn’t turned up for Jharkhand in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, which is quite amusing.
If the rumours are to be believed, Ishan Kishan’s rationale for abruptly leaving the South Africa tour had everything to do with team India overlooking him for young Jitesh Sharma.
Perplexing to see Ishan Kishan practice: Irfan Pathan
Notably, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan found it perplexing to see Ishan Kishan undergoing practice with Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya at the Kiren More Academy, but not making himself available for the domestics.
Commenting on the same, Irfan took to platform X, formerly Twitter, to share his thoughts as he wrote, “Finding it perplexing how someone can be fit enough to practice but not play domestic cricket. How does this even make sense?“
Now that he isn’t available for domestic and international cricket, Ishan is likely to make his comeback during the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 for Mumbai Indians (MI).