India's star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been included in the 61-player squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, a decision that has ignited speculation about a potential return to the national team. The tournament, scheduled for September 5-24, is seen as a crucial platform for players to impress selectors ahead of the Bangladesh Test series.
However, amidst the excitement surrounding Kishan's comeback, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has issued a stern warning. The inclusion of Kishan in the Duleep Trophy squad comes after a period of absence from the Indian team due to a mental health break and subsequent exclusion from the BCCI central contract list. Shah's message implies that Kishan will need to adhere to the board's expectations to secure a place in the national side.
Ishan Kishan's Road Back to the Indian Team
Ishan Kishan’s cricketing journey took a significant detour late last year. He opted out of the India squad for the South Africa Test series due to a mental health break. Subsequently, his absence from the domestic season led to his exclusion from the BCCI's central contract list. Despite a successful IPL 2024 campaign with Mumbai Indians, he was overlooked for the T20 World Cup and subsequent white-ball series. However, a change in approach seems to be underway. Following reported discussions with the BCCI, Ishan has committed to playing domestic cricket. This decision, coupled with his consistent performance, has earned him a place in the Duleep Trophy squad. The tournament could serve as a crucial platform for his potential return to the Indian Test team for the upcoming Bangladesh series.
Jay Shah's Clear Message to Ishan Kishan
BCCI secretary Jay Shah has laid out clear expectations for Ishan Kishan's potential return to the Indian team. In a statement to the Times of India, Shah emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for any player aiming for a national comeback. He stated unequivocally that Ishan must adhere to the board's rules and consistently perform in domestic competitions to be considered for selection.
“He will have to follow the rules. He will have to play domestic cricket,” Shah told Times of India.
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Ishan Kishan's Explosive Return to Red-Ball Cricket
Ishan Kishan is currently leading the Jharkhand Cricket Association in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, a domestic warm-up event for the upcoming season. His performance in the tournament has been nothing short of spectacular. In Jharkhand's opening match against Madhya Pradesh, Kishan unleashed a blistering century. Coming to the crease at number six, he initially took his time to settle in. However, once he found his rhythm, the left-hander went on a rampage. He smashed nine sixes in just 39 balls, bringing up his century in only 86 deliveries. His innings of 114 was instrumental in Jharkhand surpassing Madhya Pradesh's first innings total. This was Kishan's first red-ball match since making his Test debut for India in July 2023.
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