Ishan Kishan’s prolonged absence from the Indian team has become a hot topic of discussion lately. The wicketkeeper-batter was last seen in action during the home T20I series against Australia in November 2023.

Kishan withdrew his name from the Test series in South Africa last December, citing personal reasons. Since then, the left-hander has neither been picked in the Indian squad nor he made himself available for Jharkhand in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

In the meantime, India head coach Rahul Dravid said on multiple occasions that Ishan Kishan will have to play some form of cricket whenever he feels ready to be considered for national selection.

Amid the hue and cry, former India opener Aakash Chopra has suggested that Kishan is unlikely to be considered for India selection until he decides to resume playing.

Chorpa also hoped that Kishan was in a mentally good space, highlighting that the southpaw sought a break due to mental fatigue.

"It's been a long time since Ishan Kishan requested for the break. He has not played any competitive cricket. He is on an extended break. He has not played first-class cricket too. I really hope that he is good, he is fine and in a happy space because he had requested a break due to mental fatigue," Chopra said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

While BCCI’s official statement had mentioned that Ishan Kishan pulled out of the South Africa Test tour due to personal reasons, multiple reports later claimed that the 25-year-old had sought a break owing to mental fatigue.

When Kishan was left out of the three-T20I series against Afghanistan last month, it was reported that he may have been dropped on disciplinary grounds.

However, India head coach Rahul Dravid had dismissed such claims before revealing that the wicketkeeper was unavailable for selection.

Addressing queries on Kishan’s prolonged absence after the Vizag Test against England earlier this week, Dravid said that the left-hander hadn't communicated about his availability and that he would have to play competitive cricket before returning to the side.

"I think he will get a chance to play for India only after he resumes playing competitive cricket. if he is not going to play for a while, the Indian team is not going to consider him. Regardless of whether of KS Bharat plays or not, whether Dhruv Jurel gets a chance or not, or someone like Jagadeesan gets in, you never know. But India won't go toward Ishan until he starts playing competitive cricket again. They will try to maintain some protocols,” Aakash Chopra stated.

"And please don't ask why is Virat Kohli not playing competitive cricket before returning. There is a difference between Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan. Let's not go down that route," he further remarked.