Team India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, has refuted media reports suggesting disciplinary issues as the reason for the exclusion of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the T20I series against Afghanistan. Addressing the press, Dravid clarified that Kishan had requested a break, which the team management supported, while Iyer missed out due to intense competition for batting slots.

Dravid emphasized that there were no disciplinary reasons for Iyer’s non-inclusion, citing the challenge of fitting numerous talented batters into the squad. He also confirmed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s inclusion as an opener alongside captain Rohit Sharma, fostering a left-right combination.

The coach acknowledged the need for flexibility in team selection and explained that players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma might miss certain matches due to the demanding schedule of international cricket. Kohli, in particular, was set to miss the first T20I against Afghanistan due to personal reasons.

Dravid highlighted the difficulty of managing players across formats, mentioning the prioritization of specific tournaments based on the hectic cricket calendar. He urged players to adapt and remain flexible, considering the limited T20I matches leading up to the T20 World Cup.

With a shortage of T20I games in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Dravid emphasized the significance of evaluating players’ performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when selecting the squad. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and make the most of the opportunities available.