RCB Great's Blunt Take On "Whether Ishan Kishan Is Doing Wrong" Amid Star's Absence From Domestic Cricket

Former South African batting legend AB de Villiers opened up on Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan's absence from international cricket following a break, saying he himself has been through this situation and there should be proper communication between a player and team management/board. De Villiers' comments come as Ishan continues to remain absent from international cricket, having last played in a T20I match against Australia at home in late November. Following that, he asked team management to release him from the Test squad for the South Africa series happening in December-January due to personal reasons. The 25-year-old was in the T20I squad in South Africa in December 2023 but did not take part in any of the three games. He also did not take part in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

Following India's win over England in the second Test, Indian head coach Rahul Dravid said for Kishan to return, he will have to play some cricket. The India head coach revealed that the wicketkeeper-batter asked for a break, and that's why the selectors did not include him in the squad for the first two Test matches against England.

He added that it is the player's choice to decide when he is ready to make a comeback. "There is a way back for anyone and everyone. It is not that we rule out anybody from anything. I just do not want to go on labouring about the Ishan Kishan point. I have tried to explain it as best as I can. The point was that, you know, he requested a break. We were happy to give him the break and whenever he was ready... I did not say he has to play domestic cricket. I said, whenever he is ready he needs to play some cricket and come back, and the choice is his," Dravid said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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