The omission of Indian wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan for the Twenty20 International series shocked several commentators. The wicket-keeper batsman was allegedly eligible to be included in the T20I team for the Afghanistan series, but he withdrew from the South Africa Test series for personal reasons. He was excluded, though, when Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson were chosen by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to be the wicketkeepers. While supporters and detractors dispute Ishan's absence, a report explains the difficult scenario the Mumbai Indians hitter finds himself in.
Ishan requested to be removed from the Test assignment because, according to an Indian Express article, he was emotionally worn out from sitting on the bench all the time. The BCCI selectors and the team management allegedly took offence when he was later seen partying in Dubai.
It has also been stated that Ishan requested—but was denied—to skip the Australia T20I series following the end of the ODI World Cup. Then, he requested to skip the white-ball series with South Africa, but this time, too, his plea was denied.
The BCCI eventually complied with Kishan's plea to be relieved once more during the Test series against South Africa.
"He informed the team management that he was mentally exhausted from his constant travels and that he missed his family at home. Rather, he made the decision to go to Dubai, where he was observed having fun," the newspaper cited an insider as saying.
The player's close associates refuted the claim, stating that the player's leisure activities were unimportant. Additionally, it was stated that Ishan travelled to Dubai to honour his brother's birthday.
How does it matter where he spends his time when he's been given a break? He wants to leave the game because his mental health has suffered from constantly travelling and warming the bench. And he was in Dubai to celebrate his brother's birthday, the source asserted in support of Kishan.
There are concerns that Ishan may already be eliminated from consideration for the major tournament because the Afghanistan series is Team India's final one before the T20 World Cup in 2019. The fight between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the top-order berths in the batting unit has already heated up with their return to the shortest format.
On the other hand, should Ishan have an outstanding season with the Mumbai Indians, the selectors may be forced to choose him for the T20 World Cup.
Also Read: A Straightforward Take to T20I Futures by Mohammed Shami
