Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has questioned India youngster Ishan Kishan's decision to take a break from the sport, citing mental fatigue. Kishan had pulled himself out of the India squad for the Test series against South Africa in December 2023. The wicketkeeper-batter was then ignored for the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan. Speaking on the issue, India head coach Rahul Dravid said that the player did not make himself available for selection, and will now have to play domestic cricket to get back into the side.
Kishan also did not find a place in India's squad for the first two Tests against England, with KS Bharat and youngster Dhruv Jurel part of the squad as the wicketkeepers.
Akmal slammed Kishan for taking a break so early in his career, and highlighted how veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah also face the same amount of mental fatigue.
"There has been talk about Ishan Kishan being released from the Test squad in South Africa to deal with mental fatigue. At this early stage of your career, what mental fatigue can you have? In this team, there are the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, who also deal with fatigue. They play the IPL, international matches, including Test matches. Have never heard of players taking a break due to this reason," Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
Akmal further stated that Kishan's decision to take rest is "beyond his understanding', adding that young players shouldn't make such demands so early in their careers.
"You are saving yourself for two months of IPL. Playing in the Indian team is a big thing and this excuse is beyond my understanding. I think the selection committee has done a good job by keeping Ishan Kishan away from this team. Let him rest for now and then playing domestic cricket. This should be a message to players that they cannot ask for rest whenever they want due to mental fatigue. This is national duty, you cannot ask for rest just like that," he added.