India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan has been hitting the gym hard alongside Hardik Pandya in preparation for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, slated to commence on March 22. Kishan, who took a break from cricket after returning from the South Africa tour due to mental fatigue, has been absent from the domestic circuit, with KS Bharat stepping in for the Test series.
Despite calls from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to participate in domestic tournaments, Kishan has remained out of action for Jharkhand in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, where Kumar Kushagra has taken over the wicketkeeping responsibilities. In a bid to regain fitness and make a strong comeback, Kishan was seen undergoing rigorous training alongside Pandya, with the latter imparting valuable advice during their gym session.
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The video, shared by Kishan on Instagram, showcased the duo engaging in various forms of weight training and leg exercises, highlighting their determination to return to peak physical condition before hitting the field again. The caption accompanying the video read, “Vital energy.”
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Addressing the issue of player priorities, BCCI secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of red-ball cricket over IPL commitments for centrally-contracted players. Shah reiterated that players must heed the requests from selectors, coaches, and captains to participate in domestic cricket, stressing the significance of red-ball cricket in their development.
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Amidst the preparations, the BCCI unveiled a partial schedule for the IPL 2024 season, commencing with a showdown between last year’s champions, Chennai Super Kings, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. However, due to the upcoming General Elections, the full schedule will be revealed in phases, with the initial phase comprising 21 games.
