(Cricket News) Ishan Kishan, the wicket-keeper batsman for India, will miss the Test series against South Africa for personal reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named KS Bharat as Ishan’s replacement. Ishan has not played for the Indian team since the end of the ODI World Cup 2023, where Australia defeated India in the final. The BCCI did not provide an explanation for Ishan’s release.

KS Bharat made his Test debut for India in February of this year, against Australia; he was not part of the BCCI’s original plans for the Test assignment against South Africa but had to be brought in at Ishan’s request. Bharat last played for India in a Test back in June this year when the national team took on Australia in the World Test Championship Final.

The BCCI released a statement that read, “Mr. 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 The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad.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 Men’s Selection Committee has named Mr. KS Bharat as a replacement.” However, it appears that Rahul, who has shown himself to be a reliable option behind the stumps in both T20Is and ODIs, may be India’s first choice wicket-keeper during the Test series against South Africa.

Since Rishabh Pant is still a long way off from returning, it seems likely that Rahul will be given a chance to start in all three formats as a wicket-keeper. That being said, wicket-keeping in Tests is still a lot harder than it is in ODIs and T20Is, so it will be interesting to watch how the BCCI chooses to handle Rahul’s workload if he is given a full-time position in all three formats.

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