
Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batsman for Team India, has withdrawn from the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa due to personal reasons, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to name KS Bharat as his replacement. This development follows fast bowler Mohammed Shami being ruled out of the series due to an ankle injury just two days prior.
In a statement, the BCCI conveyed, “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 The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad.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 selection committee has named KS Bharat as a replacement.”
After Rishabh Pant’s absence following a car accident in December 2022, Bharat had become the primary wicketkeeper. He played five consecutive Test matches, including the World Test Championship final in June. However, Bharat’s inability to score a fifty led the selectors to turn to Ishan Kishan. The 25-year-old debuted in the West Indies series, contributing significantly with an unbeaten 52 in the second Test, contributing to India’s 2-0 clean sweep.