The dropping of Ishan Kishan from the T20 squad against Afghanistan has sparked speculation about the reasons behind it. Some link it to uncertainties about India's T20 World Cup captaincy, while others mention alleged mistrust from the team management. The situation is complicated by Kishan's recent request for a break due to mental fatigue.

Close sources suggest that Kishan expressed frustration at not being given breaks on multiple occasions in the past months. Initially, he wanted to sit out the T20 series against Australia, but his plea was ignored. Although he was eventually rested for the last two games, he stayed with the team. Similarly, he sought a break from the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour but was denied.

Things escalated when, in South Africa, Kishan requested to go home due to mental fatigue, leading to his withdrawal from the Test squad. Despite being granted a break, criticism arose when he chose to spend time in Dubai for his brother's birthday celebrations.

While Kishan made himself available for the T20Is against Afghanistan, he was dropped even though opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was unavailable. Despite performing well in limited opportunities, Kishan has lost his spot across formats. It remains unclear if he'll be considered for the Tests against England.

The aspect of Kishan's mental fatigue raises questions about whether the team management and BCCI considered this factor. The intense 12-month schedule, including a home World Cup, may have contributed to mental fatigue for Kishan and his colleagues. The saga leaves uncertainties about Kishan's future role in the team and raises concerns about the handling of players' mental well-being.

Picture Credit - The Indian Express