Duleep Trophy: Ishan Kishan marks FC return with breezy ton against credible attack

Duleep Trophy 2024-25: Ishan Kishan scored hundred against India B on his return to first-class cricket. Is that a statement from Ishan Kishan?

The short but dynamic wicketkeeper batter from Bihar, Ishan Kishan, has embarked on his comeback with a scintillating century in the Duleep Trophy 2024. Ten months after his last appearance for the national team, Kishan made a notable return in Anantapur, showcasing his resolve and talent.

After being sidelined due to a lack of runs and alleged indiscipline, Kishan scored a dynamic 111 off 126 balls for India C against India B. This inning was more of a statement of intent, demonstrating that Kishan possesses the control and character needed to reclaim his place in the national squad.

A century in difficult conditions

India C lost two quick wickets and were without their captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had retired hurt. India B boasted a strong bowling attack, including seasoned players like Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar, along with rising talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy and a formidable spin trio of Washington Sundar, Sai Kishore, and Rahul Chahar. Despite these pressures, Kishan’s aggressive approach stood out, making his performance even more impressive.

Kishan’s comeback was not without obstacles. He suffered a groin injury during the Buchi Babu Trophy and missed the first round of the Duleep Trophy, causing concern that he might not play at all in the tournament. The season ahead was crucial, and Kishan knew he needed to demonstrate his skills, discipline, and commitment to earn his spot back. Having previously been dropped from the central contract list for missing Ranji Trophy matches, Kishan understood the importance of proving his fitness and dedication.

Missing the start of the season was a significant setback, especially with emerging talents and established players like Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, and others advancing in the ranks. Kishan faced stiff competition from players like KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and others in various formats, underscoring the challenge of his comeback.

Read More: Buchi Babu Tournament 2024: Ishan Kishan slams ton in comeback game for Jharkhand

Strong character in the Buchi Babu Tournament as well

On his return to red-ball cricket, Jharkhand skipper Ishan Kishan dazzled in a Buchi Babu fixture against Madhya Pradesh. After scoring a 107-ball 114 in the first innings, Kishan remained unbeaten on 41 in the second, helping Jharkhand meat Madhya Pradesh by two wickets. Jharkhand needed 12 runs to win with two wickets remaining, and Kishan took the onus to guide his team to a win, smashing two sixes off Akash Rajawat in the 55th over of Jharkhand’s second innings. Earlier in the first innings, Kishan smashed an 86-ball century on his way to a 107-ball 114.

Will Ishan Kishan surpass Rishabh Pant’s challenge?

Ishan Kishan made his Test debut last year during the West Indies tour and was also part of India’s ODI World Cup squad. He was consistently selected for T20Is but faced a setback when he returned home mid-tour from South Africa for personal reasons late last year. This period marked a turning point, as Kishan’s absence from domestic cricket before the Indian Premier League (IPL) sparked some controversy and dissatisfaction among fans and selectors.

Kishan’s exclusion from India’s team was initially due to off-field issues and coincided with Rishabh Pant’s unavailability following a severe accident. Now that Pant has returned, he is firmly established as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in Tests and white-ball formats. However, Pant’s performances in white-ball cricket, particularly in T20Is, have been inconsistent, and his Test comeback is still in progress.

In terms of statistics, Ishan Kishan currently holds a superior batting average compared to Rishabh Pant, especially in Test matches. Kishan boasts an impressive average of 78 in the two Tests he has played, while Pant has an average of 43.67 from his Test appearances. This disparity highlights Kishan’s potential and adds an interesting dimension to the ongoing competition between the two players.

At a time when Pant is re-establishing himself, Kishan’s performance and average could play a significant role in determining whether he can surpass Pant and secure a more prominent role in India’s team.

Read More: Ishan Kishan in Jharkhand’s list of probables for 2024-25 season; What the future holds for him?

Here’s a look at the career stats of Ishan Kishan playing for India:

Rishabh Pant’s career stats playing for India:

Will Ishan Kishan be back in India’s jersey?

Kishan’s knock at Anantapur could be seen as a strong message to selectors after he lost a central contract. The young gun has not played international cricket since late November 2023. With a packed schedule ahead, this may be his way of saying he deserves a way into the team.

With the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee having named the India squad for only the opening Test against Bangladesh, Ishan’s triple-figure knock leaves an opportunity for a possible change in the line-up for the second Test in Kanpur later this month. Also, India have a long test season ahead, and Kishan has definitely made a strong case for a comeback.

Securing a place in the squad for the Australia tour can be termed ‘over-ambitious’, but not impossible for him. Given the length of the 50-day tour, India will likely include two specialist wicketkeepers. When selecting the backup, provided Pant is fit and is the primary choice, the team management will consider various factors, including current form, experience, versatility, attitude, work ethic, and the quality of performance. Producing several more innings like the one in Anantapur in the upcoming months can make his path back to international cricket appear more feasible.

Read More: Ahead of long Test season, Rishabh Pant’s tryst with red ball takes place in Duleep Trophy 2024-25