Dhruv Jurel’s selection for England Tests adds intrigue to Ishan Kishan saga

The Indian selectors sprang a surprise on Friday, January 12, by naming uncapped keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel ahead of Ishan Kishan in the 16-member squad for the first two Tests against England. Jurel, who will turn 23 later this month, has been picked as one of the three glovemen in the squad - KL Rahul and KS Bharat being the other two.

Jurel, who represents Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has played 15 first-class matches so far, scoring 790 runs at an average of 46.47 with one hundred and five fifties. The youngster had kept wickets during the second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A in Benoni last month.

Speaking of Kishan, he was handed his Test debut during the tour of West Indies in July 2023 and did a pretty reasonable job. The left-hander scored 25 and 52* in the second Test in Port of Spain and was neat behind the stumps.

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Kishan had requested to be released from Test squad in South Africa

Kishan, 25, was released from the Indian Test squad in South Africa by the BCCI after the keeper-batter had requested for the same citing personal reasons.

A few days later reports emerged that the Jharkhand had sought a break due to mental fatigue. He had been travelling with the national team for many months, but wasn’t getting to play too many matches.

After the aggressive keeper-batter was not picked in the Indian T20I team for the ongoing three-match home series against Afghanistan, some media reports claimed that he was not picked due to disciplinary reasons. Reportedly, the selectors were unhappy that Kishan was seen partying in Dubai with MS Dhoni after pulling out of the Test series in South Africa. Later, he also appeared on a popular TV quiz show.

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid, however, trashed reports of Kishan not being picked due to disciplinary issues. Speaking ahead of the T20I series against Afghanistan, he said:

"No, absolutely not (no disciplinary issue with Kishan). He has made himself unavailable for selection. I am sure when he is available (for selection), he will play domestic cricket (and comeback). So that was the case.”

Kishan, however, is not part of Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy 2024 match against Maharashtra, which began on Friday, January 12.

"No, Ishan hasn't contacted or told us anything about his availability. Whenever he tells us, he will walk into the playing XI," Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Debasish Chakraborty told PTI.

Amid all the chatter over his non-selection, Kishan, on Friday, shared a video on his Instagram handle in which he was seen meditating and training.

We surely haven’t heard the last of this intriguing saga yet.