The Board Of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced India’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Afgahanistan. While the squad witnessed the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into the T20 scheme of things, one name that was missing from the squad was that of wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Notably, the series is an important one from the point of the T20 World Cup set to be played in June as this is India’s last T20I series before the marquee event of the year.
A media report has now possibly hinted at the reason for Kishan’s exclusion from the series. A report carried by Indian Express has claimed that while Kishan had asked for a break citing mental fatigue, he was spotted partying in Dubai instead of heading back home to Ranchi which is what has not gone down too well with the board.
“He told the team management that he has mental fatigue because he had been on the road continuously and wanted to spend time with his family back home. Instead, he chose to travel to Dubai and was seen partying,” a source close to the development told the Indian Express.
However, those close to the player have backed Kishan saying once he has taken a break he can spend it however he wants. Moreover, he was in Dubai for his brother’s birthday celebration.
Rashid Khan Ruled Out Of Three-Match India Series
Meanwhile, Rashid Khan who was named in the 19-member Afghanistan contingent against India has been ruled out of the three-match series. There were always doubts over his participation as he continues to recover from a lower-back surgery which is the reason that despite being the designated T20I skipper, it was Ibrahim Zadran who was named as the Afghanistan team for this series. Rashid has now been formally ruled out of the T20I series.
India boast of a dominant T20I record against Afghanistan. In the five-matches that the two teams have played against each other in this format, India have emerged victorious on four occasions with a solitary match ending without a result.