Head coach Rahul Dravid refuted any disciplinary issues as the idea for Ishan Kishan’s exclusion from the Indian T20 squad set to compete in opposition to Afghanistan. Dravid emphasised that Kishan will make a return to the nationwide group as soon as he turns into eligible for choice. The left-hander’s final look for India was within the third T20I in opposition to Australia in Guwahati on November 28, 2023.
“Absolutely not. Ishan Kishan was not available for selection. Ishan had requested a break in South Africa which we agreed to, and supported that,” mentioned Dravid in his pre-match press meet forward of the primary T20I in opposition to Afghanistan.
However, Kishan would possibly simply have felt a bit sidelined after enjoying simply two ODIs and three T20Is between October final 12 months and this January, whereas India performed a complete of 14 ODIs and eight T20Is on this interval.
In ODIs, KL Rahul was most well-liked over him for the wicketkeeper-batsman’s slot, whereas in T20Is the administration opted to provide Jitesh Sharma a go from the fourth T20I at residence in opposition to the Aussies. However, Dravid didn’t rule Kishan out of the Indian scheme of issues. (Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma To Open For Team India In T20 World Cup 2024? Coach Rahul Dravid Clears Air)
Head coach additionally confirmed that Ishan Kishan had requested for a break throughout this collection, and that Shreyas Iyer was dropped not rested. #ishankishan  #sheyasiyer#BCCI #ICC #INDvsAFG  #IndianCricketeam  pic.twitter.com/q2nqQI1OmM
 cricnews (@cric_xprt001) January 10, 2024
“He has made himself unavailable for selection. I am sure when he is available (for selection), he will play domestic cricket (and come back). So that was the case,” mentioned Dravid.
But as issues stand now, the Jharkhand participant should play out of his pores and skin to return to the India tent. India doesn’t have any extra T20Is of their calendar forward of the World Cup in June, and Kishan’s solely likelihood to impress the bigwigs is the upcoming IPL 2024.
But herein too Kishan should deal with competitors from Rahul as he has expressed his willingness to bat within the middle-order as wicketkeeper batter for Lucknow Supergiants. (Big Blow For Afghanistan Ahead Of T20I Series Against India, Rashid Khan Ruled Out)
Similarly, Shreyas Iyer’s non-selection for the T20I collection in opposition to the Afghans too had given fodder to the participant indiscipline talks, however Dravid denied the rumors.
“Shreyas Iyer’s case has absolutely nothing to do with any disciplinary issue. It is just that he missed out. There are a lot of batsmen in the team. He did not play in the T20s in the SA as well,” mentioned the previous Indian captain. Dravid mentioned it was robust to accommodate all of the gamers into the squad or the primary eleven.
“It is unfortunate because he is a fine player but there are a lot of batsmen and it is not easy to fit everyone into the squad or play 11. No discipline issues were discussed, at least during my discussion with the selectors,” mentioned Dravid.
However, Shreyas will play for Mumbai of their Ranji Trophy match in opposition to Andhra from Friday, and PTI understands that the elegant right-hander shall be part of India’s squad for the five-match Test collection at residence in opposition to England starting later this month.
