Ishan Kishan, India, and Jharkhand batter, has not contacted his state association yet to make himself available for the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024. This was despite India head coach Rahul Dravid’s message that players who take a break need to play domestic cricket before to be in consideration for the Indian team.
Kishan was last part of the Indian white-ball team in South Africa but requested a break ahead of the Test series citing mental fatigue from being on the road for a long time. He was with the Indian team for the whole 2023 year.
When the Indian squad for Afghanistan T20Is was announced, Ishan Kishan’s name was surpassingly missing. Reports stated that he was ignored due to disciplinary issues.
But India coach Rahul Dravid refuted such claims and confirmed that Kishan was on a break, but also suggested that the keeper-batter will have to play domestic cricket before making a comeback.
"No, Absolutely not (no disciplinary action). Ishan Kishan was not available for selection. Ishan Kishan requested a break in South Africa, which we agreed to and supported, and recognized. He has not yet made himself available for selection. I am sure when he is available, he will play domestic cricket and make himself available for selection," Rahul Dravid said during the pre-match press conference ahead of the first India vs Afghanistan T20I.
However, Kishan has not played any cricket for 7 weeks now and this might hamper his chances of getting picked for the first two Tests against England.
Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Debasish Chakraborty confirmed that Ishan Kishan had not contacted them to make himself available for selection for the Ranji Trophy.
“No, Ishan hasn't contacted us or told us anything about his availability. Whenever he tells us, he will walk into the playing XI,” Chakraborty told PTI.
The England Test series begins on January 25 with the first Test to be played in Hyderabad.
