Ishan Kishan: A Case of Miscommunication and Unmet Expectations?
Former opener Aakash Chopra sparked a buzz on Twitter questioning Ishan Kishan’s absence from the Afghanistan T20I squad. While Ishan Kishan has been a frequent squad member across formats, his lack of regular playing time has reportedly caused frustration.
According to an Indian Express report, Kishan, who cited family reasons for leaving South Africa before the Tests, was available for the T20Is but was dropped. The BCCI remained tight-lipped about the reason, but whispers of disciplinary action surfaced.
Kishan’s training in Vadodara quashed concerns about fitness and fatigue, leaving speculation swirling about the real reason for his omission. The Express report points to his unhappiness with being benched despite promising performances in limited-overs cricket.
Ishan Kishan reportedly requested a break since the ODI World Cup but was denied. He was included in the Australia T20I series but sat out the last two matches. Denied another break before the South Africa tour, he was later withdrawn from the Tests citing mental fatigue. However, reports claim he was seen partying in Dubai during his “break.”
READ MORE: IND vs AFG: India announce Squad for Afghanistan T20Is
Kishan’s supporters argue that his break shouldn’t dictate his personal time, highlighting the toll of constant travel and limited playing opportunities. They also clarify that his Dubai visit coincided with his brother’s birthday celebration.
Kishan’s inconsistent role, playing as both backup opener and specialist keeper, further adds to the complexity. Despite decent returns in T20Is (average 25, strike rate 124) and a promising stint as keeper in the West Indies Tests, he struggles to cement his place in any format.
This saga raises questions about communication and clarity within the team management. Kishan’s talent is undeniable, but unmet expectations and lack of transparency seem to be fueling frustration. With the T20 World Cup looming, finding a solution and addressing his concerns becomes crucial for both player and team success.
India’s Squad for T20I Series Against Afghanistan
| Player | Role | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Captain, Top-order batsman | 36 |
| Shubman Gill | Top-order batsman | 24 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Top-order batsman | 21 |
| Virat Kohli | Middle-order batsman | 34 |
| Tilak Varma | Middle-order batsman | 23 |
| Rinku Singh | Middle-order batsman | 26 |
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper, batsman | 30 |
| Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper, batsman | 29 |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder | 30 |
| Washington Sundar | All-rounder | 24 |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder | 29 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Leg-spinner | 23 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Left-arm wrist-spinner | 29 |
| Arshdeep Singh | Fast bowler | 24 |
| Avesh Khan | Fast bowler | 28 |
| Mukesh Kumar | Fast bowler | 30 |
The squad features a mix of experience and youth, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli leading the batting line-up. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Tilak Varma are all in good form and will be looking to make a mark.
The bowling attack is led by Arshdeep Singh, who has been in excellent form in recent months. Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar are also promising young fast bowlers. Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav are the two spinners in the squad.
The series against Afghanistan will be a good opportunity for India to test their squad ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.
