Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batsman for Mumbai Indians, has re-entered the IPL 2024 camp amidst a tumultuous few months marked by controversies. His absence from the India squad during the South Africa tour and subsequent refusal to participate in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season for Jharkhand drew significant attention.
Reports surfaced indicating the dissatisfaction of the BCCI with Kishan’s disregard for red-ball domestic cricket, leading to his exclusion from the central contract list and casting doubt on his spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
Now, Kishan is determined to reclaim his position in the national team, but his return to the Mumbai Indians’ camp wasn’t as smooth as anticipated. A creatively crafted video by the team’s social media unit captured Kishan’s startled reaction as he encountered what appeared to be a ghostly figure in the mirror while engaged in the flip-the-bottle challenge, adding an unexpected twist to his comeback narrative.
Kya hi dramebaaz h yaar tu #Ishankishan 😂
— Sonal love Ishman (@siwach_she75268) March 13, 2024
Bde dino baad smile dheke Dil khus ho gya #OneFamily #mum https://t.co/2odXBP9bvj
Despite the national team setback, Kishan’s focus remained steadfast on T20 cricket, prompting head coach Rahul Dravid’s suggestion for him to engage in competitive cricket to bolster his eligibility for a national team recall. However, Kishan continued to prioritize IPL preparation over Ranji Trophy commitments, opting to train in Baroda alongside Mumbai Indians’ newly appointed captain, Hardik Pandya.
This decision garnered criticism from the cricketing community and the BCCI, particularly given Hardik’s abstention from red-ball cricket due to physical concerns. The divergence in focus from red-ball duties raised eyebrows and intensified scrutiny on Kishan’s commitment to the traditional format of the game.
As the IPL unfolds, the dynamics between Kishan, Hardik, and captain Rohit Sharma will be closely observed, especially following Rohit’s recent comments highlighting the importance of players’ dedication to Test cricket. Rohit’s assertion underscores the significance of red-ball cricket and raises questions about Kishan and Hardik’s choices in prioritizing their cricketing pursuits.
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