Indian cricketer who left South Africa series midway due to mental fatigue

Star Indian cricketer opted out of the two match test series against South Africa.

Looked in as first-choice keeper batter in the absence of Rishabh Pant, left-hander Ishan Kishan flew back to India last week leaving the two-match test series against South Africa behind. Kishan will not be taking the field along with Indian side at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Boxing Day as he opted out of the tour citing personal reasons.

Stand-in wicket-keeper KS Bharat was called in to replace Ishan Kishan into Indian squad when India had just begun their preparations for the final frontier battle. Team India have never won a test series against Proteas on South African soil and they will be looking to break the jinx and get their first-ever test series victory on hard and bouncy wickets.

Why Ishan Kishan opted out of the tour?

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was unable to explain the reasons why Kishan opted out of the mid-tour but now the reason has come out. According to a media report Ishan Kishan has opted out of the tour due to ‘Mental Fatigue’ arising due to constant travel but not getting enough games. Kishan has been a constant member of India squad in 2023.

A source confirmed to 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 made his test debut against West Indies in July 2023. Kishan was also part of Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March but KS Bharat was picked as the first-choice keeper. 

He was also part of the ICC World Test Championship final clash against Australia at The Oval but warmed the bench. Kishan has been given a longer run in the limited overs cricket only. Even in the three-match T20I series against South Africa team management preferred Jitesh Sharma over Ishan Kishan. Kishan last played for India against Australia in Guwahati.

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