“How someone can be fit enough to practice but not play domestic cricket” –Irfan Pathan takes dig at Ishan Kishan.

Irfan Pathan Ishan Kishan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently shared his surprise through an indirect message on social media regarding Ishan Kishan’s absence from international cricket, particularly after his break during the recent two-match Test series in South Africa.

Irfan Pathan on X wrote “Finding it perplexing how someone can be fit enough to practice but not play domestic cricket. How does this even make sense?” 

For those unfamiliar with the situation, Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batsman, opted out of the two Tests and was not named in India’s squad for the subsequent three-match T20I series against South Africa and the ongoing five-match Test series against England.

In response, Team India’s coach Rahul Dravid emphasized the management’s desire for Kishan to participate in some form of cricket before making a comeback to the national team.

Meanwhile, Kishan was recently spotted practicing alongside his new Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya, and his elder brother Krunal Pandya, who represents Lucknow Super Giants, at the Kiran More Academy in Baroda.

Kishan’s absence has prompted questions, particularly as KS Bharat has struggled to make an impact with the bat in the Tests against England. Bharat has accumulated only 92 runs in the first two Tests, averaging a meager 23. Across seven Tests, he has managed 221 runs at an average of 20.09, without a single half-century.

In contrast, Kishan has featured in two Tests, scoring a total of 78 runs with an equal average in three innings.