Ishan Kishan's absence from Afghanistan T20Is finds a new plot twist

The BCCI selectors recently made a decision on the team to be fielded for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. One aspect of the selection that raised several eyebrows was the absence of star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Kishan, who cited mental fatigue as the reason for staying away from cricket recently, has been excluded from the Afghanistan series. However, a BCCI source has revealed the potential reason behind the Kishan saga: a rift with the team management.

"Ishan wasn't happy that he was travelling without much game time. He is on a break right now and is vacationing. In any case, selectors are in all likelihood are looking beyond Kishan. It will be interesting if he is picked for England Test series where KS Bharat will be back behind the stumps," said a BCCI source as quoted by NDTV.

In the upcoming India versus Afghanistan T20I series, set to kick off this Thursday, the Indian cricket team gears up for their final T20I showdown before the highly anticipated 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled for June. With this series and the IPL looming large, the stage is set for the crucial selection of the Indian squad that will grace the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The spotlight is firmly on the return of seasoned stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20I arena. Both maestros haven't featured in any T20I action since the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, Ishan Kishan, seeking a hiatus during the India versus South Africa series due to personal reasons, finds himself sidelined for the shortest format, making way for Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma as the two designated wicketkeepers.

Rohit, Virat likely to be fielded for T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Sharma's prospects of steering India in the T20 World Cup seem to have significantly brightened with this comeback, posing a setback to Hardik Pandya's aspirations for leadership at the global event in June. Pandya, though, steps in to captain the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024, taking over from Rohit Sharma at the helm.

"Decisions on Rohit and Virat can't solely be taken by the selection committee. There is a lot at stake, broadcasters, sponsors and you can't pick one and drop the other. Ajit and his team needed to maintain a status quo," a former India selector said.