Since his abrupt departure from the Indian Test team in South Africa last year, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has struggled to regain his place in the national setup. Despite being part of the ODI World Cup team in India last year, Kishan failed to feature in any matches. His subsequent absence from domestic cricket and a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign have further diminished his chances of a recall.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has attributed Kishan’s downfall to a loss of focus, suggesting that he became preoccupied with fashion. Ali believes that Kishan’s chances of returning to the Indian team are slim, given the strong competition from Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and other emerging keeper-batters.
Kishan’s decision to leave the South Africa tour midway has also raised questions about his commitment. He cited fatigue as the reason for his departure, but his subsequent absence from domestic cricket raised eyebrows. In an interview with Indian Express, Kishan explained that he was experiencing travel fatigue and needed a break. However, his explanation has not been widely accepted.
Kishan’s poor form in the IPL 2024, where he managed only 324 runs in 14 games, further damaged his chances of a recall. He was subsequently ignored for the T20 World Cup in the Americas, which India won.
With the likes of Pant, Samson, and other talented keeper-batters vying for a place in the Indian team, Kishan’s chances of a comeback appear to be dwindling. He will need to rediscover his form and prove his commitment to the team if he wants to regain his place in the national setup.
