Ishan Kishan Skips Ranji Trophy, Trains with Hardik and Krunal Pandya: Report

Ishan Kishan, the promising wicketkeeper-batsman of Team India, has taken a hiatus from cricket due to reported mental fatigue. His absence has been notable since the T20I series against Australia in November 2023, and he withdrew from the subsequent South Africa tour, citing unavailability for the Test series.

Missing out on the T20I series against Afghanistan and the home Tests against England, Ishan’s return to the team seemed contingent upon his participation in domestic cricket, as suggested by Team India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid. However, Dravid’s stance appeared to shift following the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam this week.

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Dravid clarified in a post-match conference, stating, “Whenever he is ready, I didn’t say he has to play domestic cricket; I said whenever he is ready… he needs to play some cricket and come back. The choice is his. We are not forcing him to do anything. We are in touch with him.”

Recent reports from Cricbuzz reveal that Ishan Kishan has been spotted “working out and practicing” in Baroda. It’s noted that the 25-year-old has been utilizing the facilities at Reliance Stadium in the city for the past few weeks, aiming for a comeback to the international scene.

Although Ishan has resumed training, there’s uncertainty regarding when he intends to resume competitive play. Additionally, the report highlights his companionship with the Pandya brothers – Hardik and Krunal – at the Baroda training facility. Hardik’s return to the Mumbai Indians in November, following a transfer from the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, reunites him with Ishan. Moreover, in early December, Hardik was appointed as the franchise’s captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma.

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Ishan Kishan will continue to miss Ranji Trophy

Ishan Kishan, the talented cricketer from Jharkhand, will not be participating in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Haryana in Jamshedpur, commencing on February 9. This continued absence has triggered discussions regarding its potential implications on his BCCI central contract. Currently placed in Grade C, Ishan receives an annual retainership of INR 1 crore.

With Ishan’s absence and KL Rahul not assuming wicketkeeping duties for the England Tests, KS Bharat has taken over the role behind the stumps. However, Bharat’s underwhelming performances with the bat may have opened the door for Ishan’s return to competitive cricket. Nevertheless, it appears that the 25-year-old has missed out on the opportunity for a red-ball comeback at this moment.