For Ishan Kishan, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will be an acid Test. The whole controversy over his reluctance to play domestic cricket that resulted in the termination of his BCCI contract, has made Ishan Kishan a hot topic in Indian cricket. Till recently he was one of the first choice wicketkeeper-batters, but now Ishan Kishan has a tough road ahead of him. The IPL might give him a shot at redemption. He has been training with MI skipper Hardik Pandya in Baroda and recently played at the DY Patil T20 Cup too.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that Ishan Kishan should grab this opportunity with both hands.
“Ishan Kishan must be hungry. He has not got any central contract. This is the only thing he is playing. What else is he playing – either he has himself refused to play or he will not be picked. This is his chance. If you make runs here, then you will have the opportunity to go further,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“Of course there is a pitch like that of Wankhede. That will help him. The ball will come on to the bat. Ishan Kishan-Rohit Sharma could be that third opening pair which can do good in IPL 2024.”
While there was no official reason given on why Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were dropped, one line in BCCI’s release gives a strong hint. “The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team,” the BCCI stated.
When Ishan Kishan had left India’s Tour of South Africa, the BCCI had said on December 17: “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 The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad.”
While it was expected that Ishan Kishan would play domestic cricket from his time away from the national team, the wicketkeeper-batter chose to remain absent from his state team Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy matches. Despite Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid clearly mentioning that he need to play some form of cricket to regain his place in the Indian squad, Ishan Kishan ignored the instruction.
Shreyas Iyer also excused himself from one of the Ranji Trophy matches for Mumbai due to injury. However, NCA’s report on his injury was contradictory, according to a report in Indian express.
Now, in a report by ESPN Cricinfo, it has been claimed that Ishan Kishan was contacted by the Indian cricket team management during the ongoing India vs England Test series. The reports added that Kishan replied that he was not ready yet. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel got the opportunity and won the Player of the Match award.
