When the BCCI on Sunday (January 7) announced Team India’s 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, there was a notable omission in it.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was left out of the team as the selectors preferred Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma over the southpaw.
Kishan was last seen in action during the home T20I series against Australia post the 2023 World Cup. While the left-hander was not considered for the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour, he opted out of the Test series citing personal reasons.
Since the BCCI didn’t offer any clarity, speculation has been rife about the possible reasons for his exclusion.
A possible explanation is that he may have been reprimanded for attending a TV show without permission but insiders dismissed his claim, Cricbuzz reported.
Another theory is that, after receiving clearance to leave the squad in South Africa on December 17, he has still not informed the BCCI of his availability. However, it makes very little sense as the board or selectors can always ask him about the duration of his “leave” if they truly want him in the squad.
The Ranji Trophy first-round match between Ishan Kishan’s state team Jharkhand and Saurashtra ended on Monday (January 8) and the 25-year-old didn’t feature in it.
Meanwhile, the officials from the state organization have told Cricbuzz that they will speak with Kishan and take a call on his selection by Tuesday (January 9) evening.
The squad picked for the Afghanistan T20I series sees the return of star batter Virat Kohli, who hasn’t played in the shortest format for India since November 2022.
According to Cricbuzz sources, the selectors have had discussions with Kohli about his role in the T20Is. Recently, chief selector Ajit Agarkar met the veteran batter in Cape Town.
Kohli’s T20I numbers are quite staggering as he boasts an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 137.96 after playing 115 matches. His strike rate of 110 against spin during the IPL 2023 indicates that there are issues over his game against spin in the middle overs.
The Afghanistan series is the last T20I assignment for the Indian team before the T20 World Cup, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.
While it’s unclear if similar conversations have also taken place with top-order batters like Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, head coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have reportedly made some planning for the showpiece tournament.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
