The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unhappy with players not playing Ranji Trophy and preparing for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) already. Recently, Ishan Kishan was on the receiving end of criticism as he was training in Baroda and has made himself unavailable for selection for Jharkhand’s Ranji side. Kishan had returned home midway through the South Africa tour citing mental fatigue. He is unavailable for selection for the Test team as well.
Head coach Rahul Dravid is unhappy with Kishan’s approach as well. He wants Kishan to play at least a few matches if not Ranji matches to be considered for selection. Even former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan took an indirect dig at Kishan expressing his disappointment over Kishan's unavailability.
According to a report by Times of India, the BCCI is set to issue a notice to these players The leading English daily's source also said that the board is disappointed already entering the "IPL mode".
“In the next few days, all the players will be communicated by the BCCI to play for their state team in the Ranji Trophy, as long as they are not on national duty, with only those who are unfit and recovering at the NCA being granted an exemption. The Board isn't too happy with certain players already in IPL mode from January,” the source said.
Pandya to return to action in IPL 2024
While Kishan is not injured and practicising in Baroda, Hardik Pandya is currently recovering from the ankle injury he sustained during World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh which ruled him out of the entire tournament. He was not available for the T20I series against South Africa and England as well. He is set to return to the field in the upcoming season of IPL where he will lead Mumbai Indians (MI) after a controversial transfer from Gujarat Titans (GT).
The search for ideal wicketkeeper-batter
Meanwhile, the Indian team is struggling to find a balance in the absence of their star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul was the ideal replacement but he was not selected as a wicketkeeper-batter in the ongoing series against England. In the Hyderabad Test, Rahul injured his right quadriceps and was ruled out of Visakhapatnam Test. While Bharat struggles with the bat, Dhruv Jurel is another wicketkeeper-batter option in the squad.
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