Kishan played three T20Is in the recently held T20I series against Australia.
Despite the impressive performance, there were some decisions made by the Indian team management that baffled many. Not playing wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan in the last two T20Is raised a lot of questions.
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja was also left surprised to see Kishan returning home after playing just three matches.
“There was a series right after the World Cup. Ishan Kishan played three matches and went home. Was he really that tired after three matches that he needed rest? He didn’t even play a lot of games at the World Cup. He deserved his spot in the playing XI for the first few World Cup matches. How many Indian players have scored a double century on a good day?” Jadeja said while speaking to Sports Tak.
“Ishan Kishan didn’t even play the entire five-match T20I series against Australia. He was sent home after three matches to rest. So, if this is going to continue, how will you ensure that he is fully ready? Will you keep him in on trial all the time? In the last two years, how many games has he played? This problem of Indian cricket is not of today, it is very old that we don’t select (players) but reject them,” he added.
Ishan Kishan registered scores of 58 (39 balls), 52 (32 balls) and 0 in the three T20Is he played against Australia. The southpaw was replaced by Jitesh Sharma for the last two games. Jitesh scored 35 and 24 in the fourth and fifth T20I respectively.
Kishan’s absence, however, had no bearing as the hosts won the last two matches and clinched the T20I series 4-1.