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Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan has experienced a tumultuous season with the national team. Despite being a member of India’s ODI World Cup squad in 2023, Kishan has seen his position within the team significantly diminish. His chances of reintegration into the squad appear increasingly slim with each passing series. Kishan's struggles began when he withdrew from the South Africa tour midway last year, citing travel fatigue. This decision was met with disapproval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and resulted in his exclusion from the central contract list. This move further marginalized him from the team’s plans. The Indian cricket team is currently undergoing a period of transition, particularly with the retirements of key players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20 internationals.
In light of Kishan's recent challenges, former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has publicly criticized him, attributing his plight to a perceived preoccupation with fashion. Ali's comments suggest that Kishan's off-field interests might be detracting from his on-field performance and focus. This situation underscores the difficulties Kishan faces as he tries to regain his place in a team amidst a period of significant change and evolving priorities.
"Ishan Kishan has fallen down the pecking order. Woh bhi thoda sa fashion mein lag gaya tha (He too got into fashion a bit)," former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.
Basit Ali has been vocally critical of Sri Lanka following their disappointing performances in the initial two T20Is against India. This criticism comes at a time when Sri Lanka is grappling with a difficult phase in their cricketing journey. The team’s struggles are highlighted by their failure to qualify for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which has been a significant blow to their cricketing aspirations.
Ali's remarks were pointed and unequivocal. He argued that Sri Lanka’s poor showings on the field are a major reason for their exclusion from the Champions Trophy. According to Ali, the team’s lackluster performances reflect a broader problem, suggesting that their current form does not merit a place in the prestigious tournament. He emphasized that their failure to secure qualification is a direct consequence of their subpar displays, which he believes are indicative of deeper issues within the team. Ali's comments underline the gravity of the situation for Sri Lankan cricket, reflecting widespread disappointment over their recent form and the challenges they face in regaining their competitive edge. The criticism serves as a stark reminder of the standards required to compete at the highest levels and the need for Sri Lanka to address their shortcomings if they hope to achieve better results in future international tournaments.
"Sri Lanka deserved to not qualify for the Champions Trophy. It seems as if they are also more concerned about maintaining friendships, just as we have seen in the Pakistan team. My personal opinion is that their women's team have performed better. Sri Lanka's men's team should learn from the women's team how to keep the belief," Basit Ali added.