Superstar Team India batter continues to defy orders of Rahul Dravid ; continues to miss Ranji Trophy

Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batter, was left out of Jharkhand’s playing XI for the team’s Elite Group A encounter versus Rajasthan at Keenan Stadium, meaning he missed the final round of the Ranji Trophy 2024. Shortly after Indian cricket board secretary Jay Shah announced the board’s order to contract players, Ishan decided not to play in the Ranji Trophy match.

Ishan Kishan, who was supposedly suffering from mental exhaustion, requested a vacation during a Test series in South Africa and failed to appear in a single match for Jharkhand throughout the current Ranji Trophy season. Ishan was not given a chance to play in the current Test series versus England or the T20I series at home versus Afghanistan.

Notably, Ishan Kishan needs to play in the domestic season. Only then he can hope to be picked into the senior national squad. This is according to head coach Rahul Dravid’s comments earlier in the month. Kumar Kushagra remained Jharkhand’s wicketkeeper-batter for the Ranji Trophy final round matchup versus Rajasthan.

After a lengthy hiatus, Ishan Kishan resumed training. He was even seen working out in Mumbai alongside captain Hardik Pandya of the Mumbai Indians.

“You will have to play red-ball cricket” : Jay Shah

The Indian Cricket Board secretary only stated to the media on Wednesday at the Niranjan Shah Stadium’s official opening in Rajkot. He spoke about how the selection committee and board will not put up with “any tantrums” from players under central contract.

Jay Shah said, “They 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.” 

The Indian Cricket Board secretary added, “(It applies to) whoever is fit and young – we are not going to tolerate any other tantrums. This message is for all centrally contracted players. Everyone will have to play, otherwise, the chairman of the selection committee has given me his suggestions and I am going to give him a free hand to let him take his own calls freely.”