A recent report claims that BCCI selectors may be considering options beyond Indian cricket star Ishan Kishan for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan is crucial as it is the final one before the World Cup.
Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are the two wicketkeepers in the T20 squad, while Ishan Kishan has been left out of the shortest format.
The decision has raised eyebrows, especially considering the absence of game time for Ishan Kishan and his desire for a break during the India vs South Africa series due to personal reasons.
“Ishan expressed dissatisfaction about traveling with limited playing opportunities. Currently, he’s on a break, enjoying a vacation. The selectors are probably considering options beyond Kishan. It would be intriguing if he gets selected for the England Test series, where KS Bharat is expected to return as the wicketkeeper,” a BCCI source stated as reported by PTI.
The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20I fold has added intrigue to the team selection. Both veterans, who have not played any T20I since the 2022 T20 World Cup, are back in contention. This development has significantly brightened Rohit’s chances of leading India in the T20 World Cup, but it comes as a setback to Hardik Pandya’s captaincy ambitions for the global event in June.
In addition to Ishan Kishan’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested, and Ruturaj Gaikwad is not fit to play yet. All-rounder Shivam Dube has been named in the squad in Hardik Pandya’s absence.
The Afghanistan series serves as India’s final preparation before the T20 World Cup which starts right after the IPL.
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