Ishan Kishan skips Jharkhand's Ranji Trophy clash even after BCCI's strict directive

Under-fire wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan has skipped Jharkhand’s ongoing Ranji Trophy game against Rajasthan in Jamshedpur. This comes after the BCCI made it mandatory for the players to participate in domestic games for their state teams while not representing Team India.

As per reports, the BCCI informed the players about the new directive via email earlier this week. The BCCI decided Pandya brothers – Hardik and Krunal – as well as Ishan Kishan faced severe criticism for not participating in the Ranji Trophy and training privately in Baroda.

Following the BCCI’s directive, it was expected that Ishan Kishan would link up with the Jharkhand team for their last league game of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. The game got underway on Friday (February 16). However, the left-handed batsman decided otherwise. As a result, Kumar Kushagra will continue to keep the wickets for the state.

Ishan Kishan’s latest action will only add put pressure on him. Several critics have questioned his attitude and commitment after he decided against playing in the Ranji Trophy despite being told to play for Jharkhand to become eligible for selection in the national team.

Ishan Kishan in touch with Rahul Dravid:

According to a report in CricketNext, Ishan Kishan is in touch with India head coach Rahul Dravid. The southpaw has informed Dravid of his decision and stated that he is currently focused on his fitness and training. Last month, Dravid had said that Ishan Kishan would have to play ‘some cricket’ to make a comeback.

“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,” Dravid had said.

He has not played for Team India since the T20I series against Australia in November last year. While he was a part of the T20I and Test squads for the South Africa tour, he did not play any games. He also took a break from the game before the Test series against the Proteas and is yet to earn a recall.

Recently, BCCI secretary Jay Shah made it clear that not only Kishan but all the youngsters need to play red-ball cricket in the domestic circuit.

“He is a youngster… there is no need to mention his name. It applies to everyone. Everyone under the contract and the ones being targeted too. All players will have no choice but to play domestic cricket,” said Shah.

“They (players) have been informed on phone already and I’m going to write letters as well that if your chairman of selectors, your coach and your captain are asking for it then you will have to play red-ball cricket,” he added.