Ranji Trophy Wait Continues for Ishan Kishan Despite Dravid’s Call: What’s Next?
Head coach Rahul Dravid hinted that the young cricketer might need to return to the domestic circuit to earn his place back in the Indian team. Dravid's remarks, combined with Samson's success and Rahul's performance, have positioned Ishan lower in the pecking order for wicketkeeping spots.
The post Ranji Trophy Wait Continues for Ishan Kishan Despite Dravid’s Call: What’s Next? appeared first on Cricket Country.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan recently made headlines by taking a break from the relentless cricketing schedule, citing mental fatigue. The decision sparked widespread discussions within the Indian cricket fraternity as Ishan had been a consistent part of various tours, including the West Indies, the Asia Cup, the ODI World Cup, the T20I series against Australia, and the South Africa tour last year.
The break, however, came with its set of challenges. The competition for wicketkeeping spots in the Indian team has intensified during Ishan’s absence. Sanju Samson, who replaced Ishan in the ODIs against South Africa, made a strong statement with a match-winning century in the series decider, earning him a spot in the T20I squad against Afghanistan. Additionally, KL Rahul took over the wicketkeeping role in Tests and showcased his batting prowess with a fine century in the Centurion Test.
To add to Ishan’s concerns, head coach Rahul Dravid hinted that the young cricketer might need to return to the domestic circuit to earn his place back in the Indian team. Dravid’s remarks, combined with Samson’s success and Rahul’s performance, have positioned Ishan lower in the pecking order for wicketkeeping spots.
Despite not playing any cricket for over a month, Ishan’s return to the Indian squad looks uncertain, especially with Dravid’s indication that domestic performances could be the pathway for his comeback. Ishan has yet to make himself available for selection for his state team, Jharkhand, according to Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Debasish Chakraborty.
Adding to Ishan’s challenges, Virat Kohli’s return to the T20I squad further intensifies the competition. Although Kohli missed the first T20I against Afghanistan due to personal reasons, he is expected to make a comeback in the second game. Kohli is likely to take over the No. 3 role in the batting order, a position Ishan had occupied in his last T20I series against Australia in November 2023.
In the competitive landscape of T20Is, Ishan faces stiff competition from emerging talent like Jitesh Sharma. Jitesh showcased his abilities in the opening T20I against Afghanistan, playing a quickfire 31-run knock in just 18 deliveries. His impressive performance places him as a top candidate for the wicketkeeping role ahead of the T20 World Cup.
As Ishan Kishan navigates this challenging period, his return to the Indian squad hinges on multiple factors, including domestic performances and the dynamic competition within the team for key batting positions. The evolving landscape of Indian cricket presents both opportunities and challenges for the talented young cricketer.
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The post Ranji Trophy Wait Continues for Ishan Kishan Despite Dravid’s Call: What’s Next? appeared first on Cricket Country.