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Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan appears to be omitted from India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs. Rishabh Pant, another wicketkeeper-batsman, is expected to replace Kishan in the squad.
Kishan has been absent from the Indian team for a significant period following his stint in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India finished as runners-up. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant staged a remarkable return to form, impressing with standout performances in the IPL.
Pant recently played a pivotal role in India’s triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Batting at No. 3, the dynamic left-hander amassed 171 runs in eight matches, maintaining an average of 24.42 and a striking rate of 127.61.
Ishan Kishan excluded from India’s Sri Lanka tour.
Reports indicate that most players from India’s 2023 World Cup squad are poised to maintain their spots for the upcoming ODIs in Sri Lanka, with exceptions including Ishan Kishan, the sidelined Mohammed Shami due to injury, and rested players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli.
Kishan, who has been out of the squad since taking a mid-series break during the South Africa tour last year, citing mental fatigue, is set to be replaced by fellow wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Pant, having fully recovered from injury, played a pivotal role in India’s successful campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The 26-year-old Kishan’s decision to take time off reportedly displeased then-captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid. Despite recommendations from the BCCI to focus on domestic cricket for a comeback, Kishan opted to prepare for the IPL 2024 season. Consequently, he was also omitted from BCCI’s annual central contracts list and has since not been considered for selection in any format.
In a recent interview with The Indian Express, Kishan opened up about his hiatus, revealing that only his family and close circle understood the challenges he faced during that period.
“It meant there was something wrong, I was not feeling well or right and so I decided to take a break. However, sadly, barring my family and few close people no one understood that,” Kishan had said.
Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul expected to return.
Meanwhile, there’s anticipation that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will stage a return to the Indian squad for the ODIs. Both players were instrumental during India’s campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup, finishing among the tournament’s top ten run-scorers.
Despite losing his central contract alongside Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the IPL 2024 and enjoyed a productive season with the bat. With the inclusion of both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul in the ODI squad, the question arises as to who will assume the wicketkeeping responsibilities, adding an element of intrigue to the team dynamics.
