Team India will miss the services of three of their players, who were initially picked for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, slated to get underway on December 26 in Centurion.

While top-order batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the series due to a finger injury, veteran pacer Mohammad Shami couldn’t travel to South Africa owing to an ankle injury.

On the other hand, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan withdrew his name from the Test series citing "personal reasons".

While the BCCI did not reveal the exact reason in its official statement, a report published in The Indian Express claimed that the "mental fatigue" arising from constant travel and lack of enough game time were the major factors behind Ishan's withdrawal.

The report added that the southpaw had requested the Indian team management last week for a break from cricket after non-stop travelling for the last one year. The team management discussed the matter with selectors before his request was approved.

“He informed the team management that he is having mental fatigue and wants a break from cricket for some time. Everyone agreed to it,” The Indian Express quoted a source as saying.

Last week, the BCCI released an official statement saying that Ishan Kishan cited "personal reasons" to opt out of the series. As a result, the selectors named KS Bharat as his replacement.

"Mr Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad," the BCCI said in a release last Sunday, December 17. 

While Ishan Kishan has been on the road since January 3, 2023, he didn't get consistent opportunities in India’s playing XI this year.

During the recently held ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Ishan warmed the bench for the major chunk of India’s campaign. Overall, the left-hander played two Tests, 17 ODIs and 11 T20Is this year.