Ishan Kishan's decision to opt out of South Africa Test series cites 'Mental Fatigue': Report

Following their ODI series victory, Indian cricket will now face South Africa on December 26, 2023. The ODI side, led by KL Rahul, won the series 2-1 on Thursday. With the return of key veterans such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah following the ODI World Cup, the focus will be on the two-match Test series.

3 things you need to know 

• India tied the T20I series against SA by 1-1 
• India beat South Africa in the 3rd ODI by 78 runs 
• India triumphed in the ODI series by 2-1

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Why has Ishan Kishan opted to skip the SA Test series?

Three of Team India's starting eleven will not be available for the two-match Test series against South Africa. Due to a finger injury he had during the most recent ODI series, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been dismissed from the team. Mohammed Shami, an accomplished fast bowler, is not going to South Africa with the team because he is still healing from an ankle injury at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Ishan Kishan, the third absentee, has chosen to withdraw from the competition due to “personal reasons.”

Ishan's absence was not mentioned in the BCCI's official announcement, but an Indian Express story clarified the situation. Ishan Kishan's decision is reportedly mainly motivated by "mental fatigue" brought on by frequent travel and little playing time. The wicketkeeper-batsman had allegedly asked for some time off from cricket since he had been travelling nonstop over the previous year. Before being approved, this request was discussed with the selectors. A source confirmed Indian Express: 

“He informed the team management that he is having mental fatigue and wants a break from cricket for some time. Everyone agreed to it,” 

Ishan Kishan stated "personal reasons" for his decision to withdraw from the next Test series, the BCCI formally declared in a statement last week. This series would have been his second for India, making his debut in the previous battle against the West Indies in August. Thus, KS Bharat has been selected by the selectors to take his position. Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, said in a news statement, 

“Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicketkeeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad. The men’s selection committee has named KS Bharat as a replacement,” 

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India’s squad for South Africa Tests

 Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk)