'Ishan Kishan decides on when he wants to be ready': Rahul Dravid on wicketkeeper-batter's absence

India head coach Rahul Dravid on Monday said that Ishan Kishan will have to play some form of competitive cricket in order to make a comeback to the national side. Dravid reiterated the fact that the team management wasn’t “forcing” Kishan to do anything, instead said he needs to play some cricket in order to be considered for selection in the Indian team.

Dravid had also denied reports of a disciplinary issue with Kishan being a factor in his omission from the India squad for the Afghanistan T20Is in January.

“There is a way back for anyone and everyone. It’s not that we rule out anybody from anything,” said Dravid at the post-match press conference after the second India-England Test in Vizag.

Watch: Ishan Kishan posts cryptic video on social media

“Again, I just don’t want to go on laboring about the Ishan Kishan point. I have tried to explain this as best as I can. He had requested a break, we were happy to give him a break. Whenever he is ready, I didn’t say he has to play domestic cricket, I said whenever he is ready… he needs to play some cricket and come back. The choice is his. We are not forcing him to do anything. We are in touch with him,” added Dravid.

Kishan last played for India in a T20I series against Australia at home last November, and although he was part of T20I squad that played against South Africa in December, he didn’t get a game. Ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa in December, Kishan had requested for a break due to “mental fatigue”.

Dravid said that it was upto the 25-year-old to decide when to be ready again to play competitive cricket. “We know what it is. He hasn’t yet started playing, right? At the moment, it’s not something that we would consider. He is maybe not ready. He decides when he wants to be ready,” said Dravid.

“We have got options with Rishabh injured and stuff. The selectors will consider all this and take a call,” added the 51-year-old.