India’s wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan will not be participating in the Duleep Trophy as he is headed to the National Cricket Academy ahead of the long West Indies tour. Kishan, who has been a part of Team India in all the series across formats this year, has had a packed schedule. He has already played six T20Is, four ODIs, and 16 T20s for his IPL team Mumbai Indians this year. Additionally, Kishan was also in the squad for the ODI and T20I series with Sri Lanka and New Zealand in January, the ODIs with Australia in March, and the World Test Championship final in June.
Due to his packed schedule and plans to go to the West Indies with the national team in the first week of July, Kishan won’t be playing in the Duleep Trophy match for East Zone against Central Zone from 28 June to 1 July. However, rumours about Kishan’s lack of interest in the long-format game are completely unfounded, according to a source close to the player.
Like every youngster, he too wants to play all three formats for India and has been training non-stop. There is no question of him not being interested or serious about red ball competitions, adds the source.
The West Indies tour will start with a Test on 12 July, and the team will leave for the Caribbean between 1-3 July, making it impossible for Kishan to participate in the Duleep Trophy fixture.
The Duleep Trophy quarter-finals will be played from 28 June to 1 July, with two semi-finals following from 5-8 July. The article concludes by stressing that Kishan’s absence from the Duleep Trophy is not due to a lack of interest but rather a need to train for upcoming tours and his hectic schedule.
