Mystery around Ishan Kishan’s non-selection in national team continues

Ishan Kishan. (Photo Source: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

India’s star batter Ishan Kishan has been sidelined from the national team after the 2023 ODI World Cup in India last October. Following the ICC event, it was learned that he requested BCCI’s permission to leave India’s South African tour midway. He eventually withdrew from the two-match Test series as well.

There is ambiguity around the wicketkeeper-batter as now the BCCI have excluded the 25-year-old from the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The selectors have opted for Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson over him for the keeper’s role. Moreover, he also lost his position in India’s Test and ODI teams after KL Rahul took over the role.

There were various speculations regarding his omission. Insiders claimed that he has been penalized for attending a television show, Kaun Banega Crorepati without authorization. There were reports that he is yet to confirm his availability after leaving the team in South Africa on December 17.

There were role clarity discussions with Virat Kohli: Reports

As per reports by Cricbuzz, the BCCI selectors have had talks with Virat Kohli about his role clarity after he was recalled to the T20I side after more than a year. Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of BCCI, has reportedly had a discussion with the former India captain in Cape Town recently.

Kohli has scored over 4000 runs in 115 T20I games, boasting an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 137.96. His best score in this format came against Afghanistan in the T20 Asia Cup in 2022, where he amassed an unbeaten 122 off just 61 deliveries.

Despite having an impressive average and a better strike rate than many of his contemporaries, Kohli’s inability to play against spin in the middle overs remains a concern to the side. Notably, the selectors might have discussed with the 35-year if the team is looking beyond him.