Ishan Kishan has continued to be absent from Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy matches, missing three in a row despite advice from Rahul Dravid. Despite this, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has defended the 25-year-old, urging the media to ensure accurate information and avoid speculation about the player.
Kishan returned home midway from the South Africa series, and the official reason provided by the BCCI was that the player cited “Personal Reasons” for his departure.
Reports suggested that Kishan required a mental break due to extensive travel and minimal game time. Subsequent reports hinted at the player being sent back for disciplinary reasons.
Sunil Gavaskar Comes Out In Support Of Ishan Kishan
India head coach Rahul Dravid rejected the rumors of indiscipline surrounding Kishan. Dravid advised Kishan to participate in the Ranji Trophy to regain form and compete for his place in the team. Despite this, Ishan is still absent, and he did not receive a call-up for the two-match Test series against England.
“It’s early days, of course, and one doesn’t know when Ishan Kishan, who asked to be allowed to go home from South Africa, is going to make himself available again. Rahul Dravid, the coach of the team, has very clearly said that he has to play in the Ranji Trophy and show his form to be considered for selection,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote on Sportstar.
He added: “Dravid also very categorically and firmly debunked the rumours that Kishan was left out because of disciplinary reasons. Hopefully, that will set the matter to rest and not further sully a young man’s name, which was done by some ill-founded speculation after his name was found missing in the Indian squad for the first two Test matches against England,”
Sunil Gavaskar defended the 25-year-old Ishan Kishan, describing him as a rare talent, and urged fans to support him in his return to the team. Gavaskar emphasized the importance of getting accurate information and avoiding speculation in the media. He said:
“Players work very hard to play the game at whatever level, so it’s incumbent on the media to get their facts right rather than speculate and spoil a young man’s name. Kishan is a rare talent, and Indian cricket lovers should back him to come back to scoring and entertaining us sooner rather than later,”
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