First look at answering questions

WHEN India head coach Rahul Dravid arrived for the pre-series press conference ahead of the first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali on Wednesday, he had quite a bit to clarify.

- GOMESH S

It started with a statement from him saying that Virat Kohli, included in this format for the first time since 2022 World Cup, wasn't available for the first match for 'personal reasons' Then came the questions on Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan.

If Shreyas was added to Mumbai squad for the next Ranji game against Andhra, Kishan, who had requested for some time away in the middle of the South Africa tour, had not returned to action. In the couple of days since the squad was announced, there were speculations as to whether the two batters had been dropped on disciplinary grounds.

Dravid, however, denied the claims. "Absolutely not," he said, adding, "Ishan Kishan was not available for selection. Ishan had requested for a break in South Africa which we agreed to, supported and recognised. I do not think he made himself available for selection as yet. I am sure when he is available, he will play domestic cricket and make himself available for selection. So that was the case."