Ishan Kishan’s prolonged absence from the Indian team has become a hot topic of discussion lately.
Kishan withdrew his name from the Test series in South Africa last December, citing personal reasons. Since then, the left-hander has not been picked in any of the Indian squads.
In the meantime, India head coach Rahul Dravid said on multiple occasions that Ishan Kishan will have to play some form of cricket to be considered for national selection.
Despite the uproar, the southpaw didn't make himself available for selection for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. In fact, a report revealed that Kishan has returned to training alongside the Pandya brothers – Hardik and Krunal – in Baroda.
Amid the recent development, a report published in TOI claimed that the BCCI is set to issue a notice for all players to participate in the Ranji Trophy if they aren't “injured.”
The newspaper's source also mentioned that some players are in “IPL mode” already, which isn't well-received by the board.
“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 told TOI.
Unlike Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya is currently undergoing recovery after picking up an ankle injury during the World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh. He is likely to return to action in the IPL 2024 season, where he will captain the Mumbai Indians.
India are currently hosting England in a five-match Test series, which is the national team's last assignment before the T20 World Cup 2024, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.