Ishan Kishan will have to wait to return to the Indian cricket team. The southpaw, who hasn’t featured for the national side in 10 months, wasn’t in India’s squad for the Bangladesh T20I series. Reports had suggested that he’d come in as the second wicketkeeper as the Indian management wants to rest Rishabh Pant. The second part turned out to be right, but instead of Kishan, Jitesh Sharma has been called up.
Ishan Kishan’s road to redemption
Kishan, who was at odds with the BCCI, hasn’t been given a chance despite being one of the better Indian wicketkeeper batters in IPL 2024. He’d refused to play domestic cricket earlier in the year and seems to still be paying the dues for it. Kishan has played in the Buchi Babu Tournament and Duleep Trophy (first-class tournaments) since. He’ll be representing the Rest of India in the Irani Cup 2024 in two days against Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai.
Known for his T20 pedigree, it’s the format that he’s been left out of. Already lost his central contract, and performing in the domestic circuit seems to be the way to earn his place back. Also, being an opener also doesn’t help Kishan. If Ruturaj Gaikwad can be left out of India’s squad for Bangladesh T20Is, why not him?
Ishan Kishan vs Jitesh Sharma: T20 record in 2024
| Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 50s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | 14 | 320 | 69 | 22.85 | 148.83 | 1 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 14 | 218 | 32* | 16.76 | 132.92 | 0 |
Where did Jitesh Sharma go?
In December last year, Jitesh emerged as India’s top wicketkeeper in T20Is. Rishabh Pant was recovering from his accident, and Kishan’s opening spot was taken away by Yashasvi Jaiswal. In the next few days, as Kishan went on a break, Jitesh became the favourite to make the T20 World Cup squad. He was part of Team India’s last T20I series before the mega event, but once Rishabh Pant made a comeback in March, he was forgotten.
As one of the few wicketkeepers who bat in the lower order, Jitesh was in high demand. But Pant’s resurgence and his form pushed him out. He featured in the IPL 2024 season but didn’t do well at all. An average of 17 and strike rate of 130 isn’t justifiable for someone who is looked at as an finisher.
However, in Gautam Gambhir’s ideal XI, Jitesh fits right in. A flurry of openers are available, and to have someone like Jitesh at 7 or 8 will help the top order to go hard at the bowlers from the get-go.
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