Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan has found himself out of the national team spotlight recently. Following an extended break for personal reasons and a stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kishan is now aiming to reclaim his spot. However, his recent comments on why did not follow BCCI’s order to play Ranji have sparked controversy.
Ishan Kishan faced criticism from former coach Rahul Dravid for not participating in domestic cricket after his international break. While Kishan returned to play in the IPL, he hasn’t secured a place in the national squad since December 2021. Now, he explains his breaks, which ultimately led to his removal from the BCCI’s central contracts list.
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In a recent interview, Ishan Kishan addressed his breaks: “I took a break, and I think it was normal. There is a rule that if you want to make a comeback, you must perform in domestic cricket. It is as simple as that. Now, it was very different for me to play domestic cricket as it wasn’t making any sense. I was not in the right frame of mind to play, and that’s why I took a break from international cricket. It doesn’t make sense that you take a break from international cricket and then go play domestic matches. Fir toh aap international hi khelte (Then I could have continued playing international cricket).”
Ishan Kishan expressed his frustration about not getting enough playing time despite his good performances. “It was depressing. Today I don’t want to say that everything was fine. It was not easy for me at all. You go through a lot. Mere dimaag mein ye sab chalta raha ki yaar kya ho gaya, kyun ho gaya, mere saath kyu (Questions like what happened, why me). All these things happened when I was performing,” he stated.
The left-handed batter missed the South Africa tour and the Ranji Trophy, a crucial domestic tournament. He did return during the IPL for the Mumbai Indians, but his performance fell short of expectations. He scored 320 runs from 14 innings, averaging 22.85 with a strike rate of 148.83.
Kishan’s past performances show promise. In Tests, he has played two matches and scored 78 runs with one fifty. In white-ball cricket, he has impressive numbers – 933 runs in 27 ODIs at an average of 42.40 with a century and seven fifties, and 796 runs in 32 T20Is with a strike rate of 124.37 and six fifties.
Ishan Kishan’s recent decisions and his less-than-stellar IPL performance have raised questions about his focus and commitment. However, his past record suggests talent and potential. The upcoming domestic season will be a crucial test for him. Can he regain his form, silence his critics, and convince the selectors of his place in the national team? Only time will tell.