An exciting 5 match test series in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle is on the cards as India takes on Brendon McCullum management led England side in India starting 25th January 2024 in Hyderabad. The series which is already in talks as the Bazball vs Indian approach when cricket takes the centerstage, is now heating up due to the selection stint of the Indian squad for first 2 Test matches of the series.
To be played in Indian condition, where the pitches are mostly conducive for spin attack , the Indian team selectors led by former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar , decided to form a team which comprises of four specialist spinners.
However sparks and buzz grew further when in addition to already present KL Rahul selected KS Bharat and newbie Dhruv Jurel as three wicket keepers for the first two matches ignoring the likes of Ishan Kishan who has been advised by the Indian selectors to play red ball Ranji Trophy matches after being out due to mental fatigue since the South African series.
Ishan Kishan’s mental fatigue and its repercussions in Indian cricket circuit
Elegant left hander swashbuckling player Ishan Kishan has been the talking point in the news media for past few months and the news surrounding his unavailability to play for India when fully fit physically had raised eyebrows of all the cricketing fans across the country and globe.
Ishan Kishan requested a break from the Indian team management during the South Africa tour, which was supported by both the team management and selectors. The BCCI cited ‘personal reasons’ for his withdrawal from the Test series against South Africa, and K.S. Bharat was named as his replacement. Later it was revealed that it was the mental fatigue that Ishan wanted break after playing cricket continuously over a year.
However Jharkhand based left hander Kishan, came into limelight when he was found partying in Dubai and his stint of appearance on a popular game show on television raised questions about his dedication and discipline regarding the game of cricket representing his own country.
The repercussions of these acts were to follow as there were news that BCCI selectors dropped Ishan Kishan from the ongoing Afghanistan T20I series owing to disciplinary issues to which Indian coach Rahul Dravid ignored and stated that the batter by BCCI was advised to play red ball domestic games in front of 5 match prolonged test series vs England and thus was not selected for first two test versus them.
This ignorance of Ishan Kishan however has irked the likes of former Pakistani wicket keeper batter Kamran Akmal who took to Youtube to express his views on the same.
“Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah also deal with fatigue” – Former Pakistani wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal blasts Indian batting sensation Ishan Kishan for seeking break
Former Pakistan keeper-batter Kamran Akmal has lashed out at Ishan Kishan for seeking a break due to mental fatigue. While referring to the workload of big Indian names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, Akmal opined that Kishan has played too little cricket to ask for a break.
The BCCI released Ishan from the Test squad in South Africa after the cricketer requested the board to do so. Later, reports claimed that he sought a break due to mental fatigue issues. Subsequently, the keeper-batter was not picked in the T20I squad for the ongoing series against Afghanistan. He has also not been named in the squad for the first two Tests against England.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Akmal questioned Ishan’s decision to ask for a break. He also backed the Indian selectors’ decision to not pick in the Test squad for the England series.
“There has been talk about Ishan Kishan being released from the Test squad in South Africa to deal with mental fatigue. At this early stage of your career, what mental fatigue can you have? In this team, there are the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, who also deal with fatigue. They play the IPL, international matches, including Test matches. Have never heard of players taking a break due to this reason,” Akmal claimed.
Questioning whether the 25-year-old was saving his energy for the Indian Premier League (IPL), Akmal added that Ishan’s non-selection should serve as a warning for young players who think of taking a random break in the future.
“You are saving yourself for two months of IPL. Playing in the Indian team is a big thing and this excuse is beyond my understanding. I think the selection committee has done a good job by keeping Ishan Kishan away from this team. Let him rest for now and then playing domestic cricket. This should be a message to players that they cannot ask for rest whenever they want due to mental fatigue. This is national duty, you cannot ask for rest just like that,” the 42-year-old added.
Interestingly, speaking ahead of the Afghanistan series, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid dismissed reports of Ishan not being picked due to disciplinary reasons. He clarified that the keeper can make a comeback by proving his form in domestic cricket. However Ishan Kishan’s replacement young Dhruv Jurel who will turn 23 on January 21, has the experience of 15 first-class matches in which he has scored 790 runs at an average of 46.47 with one hundred and five fifties.
The right-handed batter scored 63 in UP’s Ranji Trophy Round 1 clash against Kerala in Alappuzha. He also smashed 50 off 38 for India A against England Lions in Ahmedabad. It would now be interesting to have a look how Ishan fight backs to his spot in the Indian test team post his Ranji performances in the upcoming season.