Star wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan might not be in India's squad for the ongoing five-match Test series England but he certainly won't miss playing in English conditions. Ishan Kishan has secured a short-term contract with Nottinghamshire to participate in two County Championship fixtures this year. The wicketkeeper-batter will fill the void left by Kyle Verreynne, who is scheduled to be away on international duty with the South African team for their upcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe later this month.
Ishan Kishan roped in by Nottinghamshire for County Championship
Kishan brings a wealth of experience to Nottinghamshire's squad, having accumulated 3447 First-Class runs in 58 matches. His record includes an impressive tally of 17 half-centuries and eight centuries. Additionally, he has demonstrated his capabilities behind the stumps, recording 118 catches and 11 stumpings in his career.
The 26-year-old will join a growing contingent of Indian players currently involved in the County Championship. Tilak Varma has signed a short-term deal with Hampshire, Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to join Yorkshire for the latter part of the summer, and Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to return to Northamptonshire later this month. Kishan will be eligible for selection for Nottinghamshire's upcoming matches against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge starting on June 22nd and against Somerset in Taunton commencing on June 29th. Nottinghamshire currently hold a strong position at the top of Division One in the County Championship, having secured four victories in their seven games played so far.
Kishan expressed his excitement on his first shot at playing county cricket in England.
"I'm feeling very excited to get my first taste of playing county cricket in England, and it will be a great chance to showcase my skills. I want to make sure I am the best cricketer I can be, and playing in English conditions will really help me to learn new skills. Trent Bridge is such a famous ground that is well-known in India and around the world, and I am really excited that I will be playing there," Kishan said, as quoted by Times Now.
Ishan Kishan's addition to Nottinghamshire further increases the presence of Indian cricketers in the ongoing County season. He will be joining fellow countrymen Tilak Varma, who is representing Hampshire, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will be playing for Yorkshire, and Yuzvendra Chahal, who is associated with Northamptonshire.
Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire's head Coach Peter Moores on Kishan's acquisition said:
“We’re all very pleased to have secured the services of Ishan for these next two Championship fixtures while Kyle is away with South Africa. He brings proven quality in his ball-striking, as a hard-hitting middle-order batter, but while he’s still developing his red-ball game, this spell will be really beneficial for him, and for us".