Ishan Kishan Opens Up on Team Axe, Contract Snub, and Comeback Plan

Ishan Kishan, the prodigious wicket-keeper batter, has endured a challenging period in recent months, losing his place in the Indian team across all formats and the BCCI central contract. In an exclusive interview with the Indian Express, Kishan candidly shared his experiences and aspirations.

Kishan's absence from the Indian team stemmed from a combination of factors, including travel fatigue and mental exhaustion. He sought a break from the tour of South Africa in December 2023, a decision that was met with mixed reactions.

"I don't want to be sad about anything. I'll keep giving my best," Kishan said, reflecting on the setbacks. He acknowledged the emotional toll of the past few months, questioning why such adversity had befallen him.

"It was depressing. I don't want to say that everything was fine. It was not easy for me at all. You go through a lot. Questions like what happened, why me, with me. All these things happened when I was performing," he confided.

Kishan emphasized that his break was primarily due to travel fatigue, but he also recognized that his mental well-being was compromised. He lamented that his decision was not fully understood by many.

"I was scoring runs and then I found myself on the bench. These things do happen in a team sport. But I experienced travel fatigue. It meant there was something wrong, I was not feeling well or right and so I decided to take a break. However, sadly, barring my family and few close people no one understood that," he said.

Kishan believes that his break was necessary and that he is now ready to make a comeback. He understands the importance of performing in domestic cricket to earn a recall to the national team.

"I took a break and I think it was normal. There is a rule that if you want to make a comeback you must perform in domestic cricket. It is as simple as that. Now, it was very different for me to play domestic cricket as it was not making any sense. I was not in a frame of mind to play and that is why I took a break from international cricket. It doesn't make sense that you take a break from international cricket and then you go and play domestic matches. Then I could have continued playing for India," he asserted.

Kishan remains determined to regain his place in the Indian team and is confident that he can overcome the challenges he has faced. His resilience and unwavering belief in his abilities will undoubtedly serve him well in his pursuit of excellence.

Tags: #IshanKishan, #IndianCricket, #WicketKeeperBatter, #MentalHealth, #Comeback