Ishan Kishan opted out of South Africa Test series due to 'mental fatigue': Report

Ishan Kishan pulled out of the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons, however, it has now been reported that it was “mental fatigue” that led to the wicketkeeper-batter deciding to skip the two Tests. Kishan has been with Team India squads on multiple tours, however, he has only played a few matches. He last played for India in the T20Is at home in Australia before being rested in favour of Jitesh Sharma. In South Africa T20Is as well, Jitesh was preferred over Kishan. The Jharkhand cricketer also only played two matches in the ODI World Cup when Shubman Gill was suffering from Dengue. With KL Rahul being the designated keeper for the South Africa Tests, there’s little chance of Kishan playing. “He informed the team management that he is having mental fatigue and wants a break from cricket for some time. Everyone agreed to it,” a source told Indian Express. KS Bharat was named as Kishan’s replacement by BCCI for the Test series. “Mr 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 The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad,” the BCCI said in a press release. The first Test between India and South Africa will start from 26 December and will be played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion followed by the second Test at Cape Town from 3 January 3. India are looking to break the South African jinx and win their first series in the Rainbow Nation. India Test Squad: 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).