Ishan Kishan comeback to competitive cricket after a self-imposed hiatus proved underwhelming, casting further doubt on his position in the Indian team. Playing for RBI in the DY Patil T20 Cup, the wicketkeeper-batter fell cheaply for 19 runs, failing to capitalize on his opportunity to impress the selectors.
Ishan Kishan struggles
Ishan Kishan dismissal comes after missing the Ranji Trophy despite BCCI guidelines requiring centrally contracted players to participate in domestic cricket when fit.
He reportedly spent his break training with Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, raising questions about his commitment to domestic commitments.
This latest setback follows a disappointing T20I series against Australia in November, where he scored a duck after two prior half-centuries.
Ishan Kishan then opted out of the subsequent Test series in South Africa for personal reasons and was subsequently overlooked for the ongoing Test series against England and the T20I series against Afghanistan.
Dhruv Jurel stellar performance
Ishan Kishan struggles create an opportunity for other contenders, particularly KS Bharat and the emerging talent, Dhruv Jurel.
While KS Bharat has failed to consistently impress, Dhruv Jurel seized his chance in the Ranchi Test, earning a Player of the Match performance with scores of 90 and 39*, securing India’s series victory.
Uncertain Future for Kishan:
With Dhruv Jurel’s impressive debut, Ishan Kishan faces an uphill battle to regain his place in the Indian team. His recent form and missed domestic opportunities raise concerns about his commitment and consistency.
The left-handed batter will need to deliver exceptional performances in upcoming opportunities to reclaim his spot in the national squad.