Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has recently spoken about Ishan Kishan's hiatus from the Indian cricket team, suggesting that the wicketkeeper-batter is poised for a swift return to the Test squad. This discussion follows the Indian team's head coach, Rahul Dravid's statement emphasising Kishan's need to participate in domestic cricket for selection consideration. However, it has come to light that Kishan did not communicate with the Jharkhand State Cricket Association regarding his involvement in the current Ranji Trophy season.
Consequently, Kishan was not named in India's Test squad for the initial two matches against England. Instead, the team included KS Bharat, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeepers in the 16-member squad. In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar expressed uncertainty regarding Kishan's immediate availability for the Indian team. He also echoed Dravid's clarification on Kishan's exclusion from the squad against Afghanistan, addressing rumors about disciplinary issues.
"It's early days, of course, and one doesn't know when Ishan Kishan, who asked to be allowed to go home from South Africa, is going to make himself available again. Rahul Dravid, the coach of the team, has very clearly said that he has to play in the Ranji Trophy and show his form to be considered for selection," Gavaskar wrote.
"Dravid also very categorically and firmly debunked the rumours that Kishan was left out because of disciplinary reasons. Hopefully, that will set the matter to rest and not further sully a young man's name, which was done by some ill-founded speculation after his name was found missing in the Indian squad for the first two Test matches against England," Gavaskar added.
Kishan's absence from the team dates back to December 2023, when he made himself unavailable for the Test series against South Africa. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that Kishan was released from the squad for personal reasons. Reportedly, he sought a break due to mental exhaustion following several months of intense international cricket. Kishan traveled with the Indian squad to South Africa but did not participate in any games in the T20I series.
Gavaskar criticised the media for tarnishing Kishan's reputation and misreporting facts, expressing hope for Kishan's prompt return to the team. During Kishan's absence, KL Rahul assumed wicket-keeping responsibilities in the Test matches in South Africa.
"Players work very hard to play the game at whatever level, so it's incumbent on the media to get their facts right rather than speculate and spoil a young man's name. Kishan is a rare talent, and Indian cricket lovers should back him to come back to scoring and entertaining us sooner rather than later," Gavaskar wrote.
Reports suggested dissatisfaction from the team management regarding Kishan's decision to visit Dubai instead of participating in the series, potentially influencing his exclusion from the T20I squad against Afghanistan.
However, Dravid, in a press conference ahead of the T20I series against Afghanistan, dismissed these media reports. He clarified that there was no disciplinary action against Kishan, who had chosen not to make himself available for selection for the series. Dravid's statement puts to rest the speculation surrounding Kishan's absence, highlighting the importance of accurate reporting and understanding the personal choices of players in the high-pressure world of international cricket.
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