Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan are different: Aakash Chopra on India wicketkeeper's prolonged absence

Former India opener Aakash Chopra said Ishan Kishan is unlikely to be considered for selection for the senior national team until he decides to resume playing. Chorpa said he hoped Ishan Kishan was in a mentally good space, highlighting that the wicketkeeper-batter sought a break due to mental fatigue.

Aakash Chopra agreed with Rahul Dravid's take on Ishan Kishan's availability for the ongoing Test series against England, saying Ishan Kishan should come out and tell the selectors and the team management that he is available for selection, whenever he is ready.

"It's been a long time since Ishan Kishan requested for the break. He has not played any competitive cricket. He is on an extended break. He has not played first-class cricket too. I really hope that he is good, he is fine and in a happy space because he had requested a break due to mental fatigue," Aakash Chopra said, in his YouTube show. 

Ishan Kishan has not played competitive cricket since a T20I series at home against Australia in November-December 2023. The wicketkeeper-batter did not get an opportunity to play in the white-ball leg of the tour of South Africa in December following which he was released from the Test squad due to personal reasons. It was later reported that Ishan had sought a break from the Test series in South Africa due to mental fatigue. 

When Ishan Kishan was not picked for the T20I series against Afghanistan and the first two Tests against England, speculation was rife that there were disciplinary issues that led to the selectors ignoring him. However, head coach Rahul Dravid had refuted reports, saying there was no such disciplinary issue. 

'INDIA WILL NOT GO THAT DIRECTION'

When Dravid was asked again about Ishan Kishan's availability after India beat England in the second Test in Vizag, the head coach explained that the wicketkeeper hadn't communicated about his availability and that he would have to play competitive cricket before returning to the side. 

"I think he will get a chance to play for India only after he resumes playing competitive cricket. if he is not going to play for a while, the Indian team is not going to consider him. Regardless of whether of KS Bharat plays or not, whether Dhruv Jurel gets a chance or not, or someone like Jagadeesan gets in, you never know. But India won't go toward Ishan until he starts playing competitive cricket again. They will try to maintain some protocols.