In the absence of senior cricketers, Ishan Kishan was anticipated to be a key player in the five-match T20I series against Australia. However, his sidelining following Shreyas Iyer’s return has raised eyebrows, drawing criticism from former cricketer Ajay Jadeja. Expressing frustration, Jadeja questioned the team management’s strategy, highlighting Kishan’s potential as a match-winner.

“He can change the game on his day. When will he get ready? Will you keep him in on trial all the time?” Jadeja criticized the continuous evaluation of Kishan’s abilities, pointing out the scarcity of opportunities for the young talent.

Highlighting Kishan’s limited participation in the recently concluded ODI World Cup, Jadeja emphasized the need to provide him opportunities. “There was a series right after the World Cup. Ishan Kishan played three matches and went home. Was he really that tired after three matches that he needed rest?” questioned Jadeja, advocating for Kishan’s inclusion in the playing XI.

In response to the exclusion, Kishan showcased promising performances at the beginning of the T20I series, impressively scoring 58 runs off 39 deliveries in Visakhapatnam. Despite his initial success, a dip in performance led to his omission from the team in favor of Shreyas Iyer for subsequent matches.

The 25-year-old’s exclusion has stirred discussions about the selection process in Indian cricket. “In the last two years, how many games has he played? This problem of Indian cricket is not of today, it is very old that we don’t select (players) but reject them,” Jadeja expressed concern about the consistent rejection of budding talents in Indian cricket.

While Kishan’s role in the series against Australia might have faced setbacks, the cricketer has been recalled for the upcoming series against South Africa. This latest development brings renewed hope for Kishan to make a mark and solidify his position in the Indian cricketing arena.