(Source Instagram)
With Gautam Gambhir taking charge as the new coach of the Indian cricket team ahead of the upcoming Sri Lanka tour starting July 27, focus intensifies on the selectors’ decisions for the T20I and ODI squads. Ishan Kishan has sparked speculation about his return, alongside the anticipated comeback of Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer to the national side.
Drama unfolds before the Sri Lanka tour with Shreyas Iyer’s return likely, but Ishan Kishan’s fate remains uncertain.
Iyer has been absent from the national setup since February, while Ishan has been sidelined since December, both losing their central contracts after not participating in the Ranji Trophy as requested by the BCCI.
With Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar now leading the Indian selection committee, speculation mounts over whether these two promising players will earn recalls for the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.
According to InsideSport, Iyer’s return to the ODI squad seems almost certain due to his strong rapport with Gambhir, his former mentor at KKR, and resolving issues with BCCI secretary Jay Shah regarding the Ranji Trophy situation. However, Kishan’s prospects for an India comeback remain uncertain.
The report indicates that the BCCI remains displeased with Ishan for not fulfilling his Ranji Trophy obligations with Jharkhand. Ishan has defended himself, citing mental exhaustion and health issues as reasons for his break from the game, though it remains unclear if this explanation will sway the selectors in his favor.
Ishan Kishan aims for a comeback amidst speculation ahead of India’s Sri Lanka tour.
Despite BCCI’s concerns, Rishabh Pant has rejoined Team India, while Sanju Samson’s consistent performances and Dhruv Jurel’s emergence further cloud Ishan Kishan’s future.
Amid social media debates, Ishan shared a video on Instagram showcasing his rigorous training in the nets, signaling a potential comeback for India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka later this month. Ishan captioned the video: “Preparation is key 🦾🏏”
Duleep Trophy provides Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer a platform to vie for Test selection.
Jay Shah reportedly emphasizes that top cricketers must prioritize domestic commitments during breaks from national duties, with exceptions granted to senior players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah.
The BCCI is urging Test specialists, excluding Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah, to participate in one or two Duleep Trophy matches in August. This initiative aims to prepare them for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand at home and offers a chance for players like Kishan and Iyer to stake their claim in India’s Test squad. This is crucial given India’s busy schedule of 10 red-ball matches this year, including a significant five-match series in Australia later in the year.
