Who has replaced Ishan Kishan in India test squad for South Africa tour?

Ishan Kishan was part of the T20I series against South Africa, but didn’t play a single game.

Away from the ODI action, India’s support staff led by Rahul Dravid and the team led by Rohit Sharma have began their preparations for the upcoming two-match test series against South Africa. Team India have suffered another setback within just two days as Ishan Kishan will be leaving the tour mid-way. Ishan Kishan has been released from the squad based on his request to the BCCI.

Earlier, Mohammed Shami got ruled out of the test series due to an ankle injury, whose replacement is yet to be announced, while Deepak Chahar also withdrew from India’s ODI squad due to a family emergency. Ishan Kishan’s departure from South Africa left the Indian playing XI hanging without any balance. Kishan was looked in as a number 6 batter and also as the wicket-keeper option while KL Rahul was looked at as middle-order batter in tests. Kishan was part of the T20I squad as well but he didn’t play a single game. 

Ishan Kishan replaced by KS Bharat

On Sunday, 17th December, BCCI made an announcement during the first ODI between India and South Africa regarding the withdrawal of Ishan Kishan from the test squad, who had requested the board to be withdrawn from the squad due to personal reasons. The board has named Andhra keeper KS Bharat as his replacement.

BCCI in an official release stated, “Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad. The Men’s Selection Committee has named KS Bharat as a replacement.” While Kishan’s replacement is announced, BCCI is still looking out for Mohammed Shami’s replacement in the test squad. 

KS Bharat has played 5 test matches for India in 2023. Bharat made his test debut for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy played earlier this year in February and March. Bharat has so far scored 129 runs in his 8 innings. Bharat has so far taken 12 catches behind the stumps and effected one stumping in his short career. He was also a member of the ICC World Test Championship final playing XI against Australia played at The Oval and was dropped from the playing XI against West Indies earlier this year for his poor show. 

KS Bharat was part of the India A squad as captain and played one red-ball game in Potchefstroom. Bharat scored just 6 runs in the four-day game. He contributed immensely to Andhra Pradesh in the white-ball Indian domestic tournament and scored a century in a 50-over game. Ishan Kishan’s reason for leaving the tour is still unknown. India and South Africa will be commencing their test battle on Boxing Day at Supersport Park in Centurion. 

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