Ishan Kishan continues to defy Rahul Dravid’s ‘Play Some Cricket’ plea

India wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan has remained out from the Indian selection, with KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel competing for a spot behind the wickets in the first two Tests against England. Kishan requested a break from team management during the South Africa tour and is yet to return to play.

When questioned about Ishan Kishan‘s comeback, India head coach Rahul Dravid made it plain that the wicket-keeper batsman must play some cricket to be considered for selection.

“Whenever he is ready, I didn’t say he has to play domestic cricket; I said whenever he is ready… he needs to play some cricket and come back. The choice is his. We are not forcing him to do anything. We are in touch with him,” Dravid had said in the post-match press conference after the conclusion of the second Test in Vizag.

He is not playing the Ranji Trophy matches also. As per reports he has been training with Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya at the Reliance Stadium for weeks.

Since November last year, Ishan Kishan hasn’t played a match for India

Kishan’s actions draw attention because Hardik Pandya is the captain of the Mumbai Indians team, which Kishan also plays for. According to Kiran More, a former Indian cricketer, Kishan is training at his academy.

Kishan has not played for the Indian side in any of the three forms since November of last year, but he has appeared on the bench in a few games.

Ishan Kishan however, has shown little interest in playing competitive cricket like the Ranji Trophy, despite Dravid’s suggestion that the player should play some cricket for the selectors to choose him for national team games.

With the Indian Cricket Board about to release the roster for the last three Tests against England, it’s unclear if Ishan would be considered for selection.