Days after being excluded from the T20 squad for the home series against Afghanistan, wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan found himself training in Vadodara alongside his new Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya. The omission from the T20 squad has become a lingering issue, with speculations connecting it to the uncertainty surrounding Team India’s T20 World Cup captaincy and alleged mistrust by the team management.
Complicating matters further is Kishan’s recent request for a break due to mental fatigue. Some close to the player feel that the team management has shown insensitivity to the frustration experienced by those consistently kept on the bench. On the flip side, there are suggestions that Kishan did not handle his non-selection positively, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
According to sources and a sequence of events, it appears Ishan Kishan had sought a break on multiple occasions over the past few months but was denied. Initially, he wanted to sit out of the T20 series against Australia right after the World Cup final. Although he was eventually rested for the last two games, he stayed with the team.
Later, Kishan expressed a desire for a break from the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour but was willing to play the Tests. Once again, he was denied the break. The situation escalated when, during the South Africa tour, Kishan requested the team management to send him home due to mental fatigue. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) subsequently withdrew him from the Test squad.
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Sources revealed that Kishan had communicated his mental fatigue and the need for time with his family to the team management. However, there were concerns when he was spotted in Dubai, seemingly enjoying himself, instead of taking the break. Supporters argue that his choice of location shouldn’t matter if he is on a sanctioned break.
Despite making himself available for the T20Is against Afghanistan, Kishan was dropped even with opener Ruturaj Gaikwad unavailable for selection. Despite performing well in limited opportunities with the national team, Kishan has lost his spot across formats.
The possibility of Kishan being considered for the Tests against England remains unclear. While KL Rahul has excelled behind the stumps, home conditions may require a specialist wicketkeeper against the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel.
It remains to be seen whether the team management and the BCCI considered Kishan’s mental fatigue when making decisions. In a sport where mental well-being is gaining recognition, Kishan’s case raises questions about the handling of players dealing with the pressures of constant travel and bench time.
The T20Is against Afghanistan serve as the last series in the format before the World Cup, providing an opportunity to assess combinations. However, the exclusion of players like Kishan has generated debates and discussions. His exclusion from previous squads and playing XIs has sparked controversies, indicating a need for sensitive management of players dealing with mental fatigue and limited playing time.
The evolving situation around Ishan Kishan suggests that while not out of control, it requires careful handling and consideration of the mental well-being of players in the demanding world of professional cricket.
