The curious case of Ishan Kishan still continues. However, India head coach Rahul Dravid has shared some light on the matter. Dravid has claimed that Ishan needs to play regularly to be considered for selection. Dravid further added that the board is constantly in touch with the player.
Ishan Kishan’s absence from the team has been making the headlines for quite sometime. The Player excused himself midway into the South Africa tour citing mental fatigue with extra travel and less game time.
“Ishan Kishan needs to start playing to be considered for selection, we are in touch with him,” said Rahul Dravid after the IND vs ENG Test in vizag.
However, after reaching India, Dravid claimed that he needs to start playing in Ranji Trophy matches to be able to warrant a case for selection. But Ishan Kishan remained missing. He never played a single game for Jharkhand in the domestic league. With T20 World Cup fast approaching, India’s keeper strength as significantly decreased.
“There’s a way back for anyone and everyone. It’s not that we rule out anybody from anything. I just don’t want to go on labouring about the Ishan Kishan point. I’ve tried to explain it as best as I can. The point was that, you know, he requested a break. We were happy to give him the break and whenever he was ready… I didn’t say he has to play domestic cricket. I said, whenever he’s ready he needs to play some cricket and come back, and the choice is his,” Dravid added.
“We’re not forcing him to do anything and we are in touch with him. It’s not that we’re not in touch. We know what it is, but he hasn’t yet started playing, right? So, at the moment, it’s not something that we would consider because, you know, he’s maybe not ready. He decides when he wants to be ready and we’ve got options obviously with Rishabh [Pant] injured and stuff. So I’m sure the selectors will weigh all the options,” Dravid concluded.
The India head coach hasn’t minced his words. He has made it very simple for the southpaw. Ishan Kishan has to start playing regularly to improve his chances in getting selected for the Indian Team.
With KL Rahul not keeping in Test and now injured, it is KS Bharat who is now positioned behind the stumps. Furthermore, India has also called in young Dhruv Jurel as the backup. In white-ball cricket, there is Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma. And lastly with Rishabh Pant slowly inching his way closer to full recovery, Kishan’s chances are running out if to doesn’t mend his ways.