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Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer have been two prominent names who were left out of the Indian squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. With Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) naming a 16-member squad, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer did not find a place while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were two surprise inclusions.
While the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee did not reveal the reason behind the inclusion as well as omission of these players, as per recent reports it is being said Ishan Kishan and Iyer were excluded on disciplinary grounds. As per a report published in Bengali newspaper Anandabazar Patrika, the two were excluded from the Afghanistan series on disciplinary grounds.
As per a report further published by the Indian Express, Ishan sought exit from the Test series against South Africa with mental fatigue. Later, he was reportedly found partying in Dubai, an act which hasn’t settled well with the BCCI selectors and the team management. “He told the team management that he has mental fatigue because he had been on the road continuously and wanted to spend time with his family back home. Instead, he chose to travel to Dubai and was seen partying,” the newspaper quoted.
Meanwhile, speaking of Ishan Kishan, the selectors weren’t quite impressed with Shreyas’ shot selection during the South Africa tour and wanted the batter to play for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy. As per reports, Iyer had asked for some time off, which is the main reason being stated to not have rested well with the selectors. However, the 29-year-old later made himself available and was added in the Mumbai squad for Ranji Trophy.
India's squad for three-match T20I squad against Afghanistan:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
