There have been a lot of speculation regarding wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan not being included in the Indian cricket team squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan. India took a 1-0 lead in the series after beating Afghanistan by 6 wickets in the opener in Mohali last night. Kishan has been out of action since opting out of the South Africa Test series in December 2023. Reports had stated that his trip to Dubai and appearance in a television game show may have resulted in the team management not selecting him for the series.
However, India head coach Rahul Dravid rubbished all talks as he clarified the decision to snub Kishan for the Afghanistan T20Is.
On the eve of the first T20I, Dravid had reavealed that Kishan has not made himself available for selection yet.
“He asked for the rest. I do not think he has made himself available for selection yet. When he is available, he will play domestic cricket and officially make himself available for selection,” Dravid said.
With Kishan likely to return to action for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the batter has resumed training to get himself up to pace.
Taking to Twitter, Kishan shared a video of him meditating and training on the ground.
— Ishan Kishan (@ishankishan51) January 12, 2024
The second and third T20Is will be played on Sunday and Wednesday, followed by a five-match Test series against England, starting January 25.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Shivam Dube defied bitterly cold weather to hit an unbeaten half-century and take one wicket as India eased to a comfortable win over Afghanistan in the first T20I on Thursday.
Dube, a left-handed batsman, made 60 off 40 balls for his second T20 fifty as India chased down their victory target of 159 with 15 balls and six wickets to spare at Mohali.
India lead the three-match series 1-0 as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in June.
(With AFP Inputs)
Kishan is unlikely to be selected for the Test series against the Ben Stokes-led side.
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