Saikiran Uppuluri
Saikiran Uppuluri
India head coach Rahul Dravid addressed the continued absence of wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan from national team selection. Kishan hasn’t featured since requesting a personal break last December.
Dravid clarified that Kishan isn’t being forced into any specific timeline, domestically or otherwise, to make his return. “We were happy to give him the break and whenever he’s ready…he needs to play some cricket and come back, and the choice is his,” Dravid remarked.
The coach added that selectors weigh all options, but with Kishan not yet active in cricket, he isn’t in consideration presently. Dravid maintained the team stays in contact with the 25-year-old talent.
In the interim, KS Bharat has taken the gloves in Tests, providing steady keeping but inadequate batting. Dravid hopes Bharat and others develop quickly, but accepts players progress at their own pace when initially adjusting to international cricket.
Ultimately, Dravid’s comments reflected a compassionate communicator’s approach to Kishan. Rather than demands or deadlines, Dravid emphasized player empowerment in determining readiness. Whenever Kishan feels equipped to return, India’s door remains open. But he has to prove that he is ready for International cricket first.
