India’s young wicketkeeper-batsman, Ishan Kishan, has chosen to withdraw from the upcoming Test series against South Africa, citing mental fatigue, as per reports. Despite consistently traveling with the Indian team over the past year, the 25-year-old hasn’t secured a regular spot in any format.
Initially selected for the two-match Test series against South Africa, starting with the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park on December 26, Kishan requested to be released due to personal reasons, leading to his withdrawal from the Test squad, as announced by the BCCI on December 17.
According to the Indian Express, the wicketkeeper-batsman approached the Indian team management last week during their time in South Africa, expressing his need for a break due to continuous travel over the past year.
Following this, the team management discussed the matter with the selectors, who approved Kishan’s request.
“He informed the team management that he is having mental fatigue and wants a break from cricket for some time. Everyone agreed to it,” a source told the paper.
KS Bharat has been announced as the replacement for Ishan Kishan in the Test squad
From the beginning of 2023, Kishan has participated in two Tests, 17 ODIs, and 11 T20Is. Despite not being a consistent player in every format, he has been included in almost every series that India has contested since the year commenced.
Making his Test debut during the West Indies tour in July, the left-handed batter showcased his skills, notably scoring an unbeaten 52 in Port of Spain, where he also excelled as a wicketkeeper.
In 2023, Kishan amassed 456 runs in 17 ODIs with an average of 35.07 and a highest score of 82, including four half-centuries.
In the absence of Shubman Gill, who was affected by dengue, Kishan participated in Team India’s initial two matches in the ODI World Cup, recording scores of 0 against Australia and 47 against Afghanistan.
Discussing his T20I performance in 2023, Kishan has accumulated 207 runs with an average of 18.81. Notably, he played in the initial three matches of the T20I series against Australia at home, scoring 58 and 52 in the first two games and registering a duck in the third match.
While Kishan was included in the T20I squad for South Africa, Jitesh Sharma was chosen as the preferred keeper-batsman over him.
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