Ishan Kishan Training In Baroda Along With Pandya Brothers Amid Speculation Over Absence From Cricket: Report

Ishan Kishan continues to abstain himself from domestic cricket and is training under the guidance of Kiran More in Baroda. Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya are also training with him at the facility.

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been missing from India's squad for the last couple of series. While Kishan was not named in the India squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, he did not find a place in the Indian team for the first two Test matches against South Africa either. Meanwhile, Kishan did not make himself available for Jharkhand who are competing in Ranji Trophy, leading to speculation over his absence from cricket.

However, a media report has finally shed light on the whereabouts of the stumper. A report carried by Cricbuzz has confirmed that Kishan is in fact in Baroda, training at the Kiran More Academy along with India cricketers Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya. With Hardik Pandya set to lead Kishan in the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise in IPL 2024, perhaps the left-handed batter could eye a makeback into competitive cricket with the IPL.

More has himself confirmed to the abovementioned cricket news platform that Kishan has been training under hus guidance. However, he refused to give more details as he is currently busy with the Mumbai Indians' (MI) franchise ahead of the Women's Premier League (WPL) beginning on February 23.

Rahul Dravid Clears Air On Ishan Kishan, Says 'Not Forcing Him To Do Anything

Meanwhile, when India head coach Rahul Dravid said that while they did give the cricketer a break as requested by him, he will have to play some cricket on his way back into the Indian team.

"There is way back for anyone and everyone. I don’t want to go on labouring about the Ishan Kishan point. Have tried to explain this as best as I can, the point was he had requested a break, we were happy to give him the break," Dravid said in his post-match press conference after India's win over England in the second Test in Visakhapatnam.

"Whenever he is ready, I didn’t say he has to play domestic cricket, I said whenever he is ready, he needs to play some cricket and come back. The choice is his. We are not forcing him to do anything," he added.

"We are in touch with him, it is not that we have not been in touch. He has not yet started playing right so at the moment it is not something we can consider. Because you know he maybe he is not ready. He decides when he wants to be ready. We have got options with Rishabh injured and stuff. I am sure the selectors will weight all options," he said.