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Why Did Ishan Kishan Opt Out Of South Africa Tests? Here's The 'Real' Reason

image-lqhq7fx9Ishan Kishan made his Test debut in the West Indies (Twitter)

Ishan Kishan may have opted out of the two-match Test series in South Africa owing to "personal reasons", but an Indian Express report claimed, the wicketkeeper-batter has actually taken a break to resolve mental health concerns. 

The young Indian cricketer has asked the selectors and the team management for a breather from national duties to overcome "mental fatigue", which would've compiled having been in the thick of action constantly over the past 12 months.

Acting as a backup wicketkeeper-batter, who can flexibly adjust to batting at the top and even the middle order, Kishan has been involved across formats in 2023. 

The 25-year-old made his Test debut in the Caribbean in July and was integral to India's build-up towards the ICC World Cup 2023, upon whose conclusion even, he continued being part of the T20I set-up. 

Kishan Goes On Mental Health Break 

Kishan, who warmed the benches for the three-match T20I series in South Africa, was due to take part in an intra-squad three-day game before the Test matches in Centurion and Cape Town. 

However, with mental fatigue piling on, the youngster bravely asked for a break last week from the team management, which coach Rahul Dravid was happy to provide him as the BCCI issued a statement making the news public. 

"He informed the team management that he is having mental fatigue and wants a break from cricket for some time. Everyone agreed to it," a source privy to the developments told Indian Express. 

The BCCI didn't divulge on the exact cause behind Kishan's ouster from the scene in their statement but said it was down to "personal reasons" while naming KS Bharat as his replacement in a squad which has also witnessed the comeback of KL Rahul as a Test wicketkeeper-batter.


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