Ishan Kishan’s wait to rejoin the Indian cricket team continues as Jitesh Sharma has been chosen over him for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Despite being one of the top wicketkeeper-batters in IPL 2024, where he scored 320 runs at a strike rate of 148.83, Kishan was not included in the squad. Reports suggested that he might have been brought in as a backup wicketkeeper since Rishabh Pant is resting. However, the selectors chose to go with Jitesh Sharma instead.
Kishan, who has been out of the national team for 10 months, has been working hard to make a comeback. Though he initially refused to play domestic cricket earlier this year, he has since participated in the Buchi Babu Tournament and Duleep Trophy. He is also set to represent the Rest of India in the Irani Cup 2024 against Mumbai.
Jitesh Sharma, on the other hand, had a lackluster IPL 2024 season, scoring just 218 runs at an average of 16.76 and a strike rate of 132.92. However, his ability to bat lower down the order made him a preferred choice. With an opening-heavy Indian lineup, having Jitesh in the squad could provide the team with more balance.
Kishan’s road to redemption seems tied to his performance in domestic cricket, while Jitesh’s selection marks his return after a brief stint with the national team last year when Pant was recovering from an accident.