Head coach Rahul Dravid clears air about Ishan Kishan's absence from the Indian squad

Rahul Dravid, Ishan Kishan (Pic: File Pic)

India's head coach Rahul Dravid on Monday said that Ishan Kishan needs to decide when he will start playing some form of cricket and then only can be considered for national selection.

Ishan Kishan who has been a regular member of the Indian team across all formats has been missing from the side since the South Africa tour. During the tour to the Rainbow Nation, Kishan asked for a break citing his personal reasons. He last turned up for India in November and has not featured for Jharkhand in ongoing Ranji Trophy.

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After the series-levelling win over England, Dravid tried to clear the air over Kishan's absence once again. "There is way back for anyone and everyone. I don't want to go on labouring about the Ishan Kishan point. Have tried to explain this as best as I can, the point was he had requested a break, we were happy to give him the break," said Dravid in the media interaction.

"Whenever he is ready, I didn't say he has to play domestic cricket, I said whenever he is ready, he needs to play some cricket and come back. The choice is his. We are not forcing him to do anything," Dravid didn't seem to amused with the queries and also made it team management's stance clear on the issue.

KS Bharat who has been much impressive in the England series can be replaced with Ishan Kishan. Rishabh Pant has not yet fully recovered from his injuries. Besides Bharat, Dhruv Jurel is also a part of the Indian squad.

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"We are in touch with him, it is not that we have not been in touch. He has not yet started playing right so at the moment it is not something we can consider. Because you know he maybe he is not ready. He decides when he wants to be ready. We have got options with Rishabh injured and stuff. I am sure the selectors will weight all options, he said.

Bharat himself would agree he could have done better with bat.

Rahul Dravid was satisfied with Bharat's contribution with the big gloves in the first two tests but could not say same about his batting.He mistimed a half tracker to be caught at mid-on in the second innings and has not done much with the bat so far in the series.

"Disappointed is a strong word (for Bharat). I would not use that word. At times, young players do take time to develop. They grow at their own pace. Yeah I mean as a coach, you want players to grab the opportunities. His keeping has been good, he will also agree that he could have done better with the bat," added the head coach.

(With PTI Inputs)