Ishan Kishan who has been sidelined from the Indian Cricket team across formats is looking to make a roaring return to the side through domestic tournaments. The selectors are keen to pick the left-hand batter in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. The selection committee wants Kishan to resume red-ball cricket if he wishes to make a comeback in the national side. He recently made himself available for Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu invitational tournament which is scheduled to start from August 15. The domestic tournament, which will also feature the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and other Indian players will play a key role in deciding the 15-member squad for the Test series against Bangladesh, which is set to begin on September 19. Kishan last featured in the India vs Australia T20Is after his exclusion in 11 from World Cup 2023.
According to a report in Indian Express, Ishan and Shreyas Iyer were dropped from the BCCI’s annual contract list after they failed to adhere to the board and selection committee’s orders i.e. playing in the Ranji Trophy. Despite playing two Ranji Trophy games, Iyer was dropped from the contract list. In contrast, Kishan had to suffer because of non-participation in Ranji games and also separate training at Vadodara. Iyer was included in the national side during the recently concluded ODIs in Sri Lanka and now it's on the shoulders of the 26-year-old to return to the national side.
With the zonal format of the Duleep Trophy gone, Ajit Agarkar’s panel will pick the four squads — India A, India B, India C, and India D starting from September 5. Ishan was last featured in the Duleep Trophy from 2019-20.
Selector’s vision
The selectors have decided to move on from certain players with their eye on the future. According to reports Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will be excluded from the Duleep Trophy team as the national selection committee has made their mind to move on from these Test specialists. Despite Rahane leading his side to a trophy last year and Pujara amongst the highest run scorers the new crop with the likes of Sarfaraz, Dhruv Jurel, KS Bharat, and Rajat Patidar will be given a chance.
Ishan Kishan’s career
Ishan Kishan has played two Tests, 27 ODIs and 32 T20Is between July 2021 to November 2023 where he scored 933 runs in One-day internationals including a double ton and 796 runs in T20Is. The left-hand batter was effective with an aggressive opening as well as providing solidity just like he did in the Asia Cup game along with Hardik Pandya against Pakistan. Ishan proved to be a flexible batter regardless of the conditions. After he failed to follow the board’s guidelines and as soon as Rishab Pant made his international return the 26-year-old is nowhere near the national side.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK: