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In a significant development for Indian cricket, Ishan Kishan, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has been appointed as the captain of Jharkhand for the upcoming Buchi Babu Trophy, a prestigious long-format cricket tournament set to begin on August 15 in Tamil Nadu. This decision marks Kishan’s much-anticipated return to first-class cricket, a crucial step in his bid to reclaim a spot in the Indian Test squad.
A Surprising Inclusion
Ishan Kishan’s inclusion in the squad came as a surprise to many. Initially, he was not named in Jharkhand’s squad for the tournament, which led to speculation about his future in red-ball cricket. However, according to reports from ESPNcricinfo, Kishan expressed his desire to participate in the tournament, prompting the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) to draft him into the team. A JSCA official stated, “With Ishan, it was never about ability. It was only about whether he was ready to return. The moment he expressed his keenness to return, he was drafted in.”
A Crucial Year for Kishan
The past year has been challenging for the 26-year-old cricketer. Kishan faced a notable setback when he, alongside Shreyas Iyer, was excluded from the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) central contracts. His omission was particularly surprising, given his performances in white-ball cricket. Despite being a regular in India’s limited-overs teams, Kishan opted out of several Ranji Trophy matches for Jharkhand, raising concerns about his commitment to the longer format of the game.
In the 2024 IPL, Kishan played 14 matches for Mumbai Indians, scoring 320 runs at an average of 22.86, with a strike rate of 148.84. While these numbers reflected his prowess in T20 cricket, his absence from red-ball cricket was a talking point among cricketing circles. Kishan’s last Test appearance for India came during the South Africa series in 2023, where he was forced to withdraw due to personal reasons.
A Renewed Focus on First-Class Cricket
Kishan’s decision to captain Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu Trophy signals his renewed focus on first-class cricket. The tournament, known for its competitive edge, will provide Kishan with the platform to demonstrate his skills in the longer format. His leadership role also adds an extra layer of responsibility, as he will be expected to guide a relatively young Jharkhand team through the tournament.
Kishan’s return to competitive cricket began earlier this year when he participated in the 18th DY Patil T20 Cup 2024, representing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In his comeback match, he made a quickfire 19 off 12 balls and contributed behind the stumps, marking a positive return to the field. This performance, coupled with his IPL stint, seems to have reignited his passion for the game, particularly in formats other than T20 cricket.
Aiming for a Test Comeback
Kishan’s participation in the Buchi Babu Trophy is more than just a return to domestic cricket; it is a clear indication of his ambition to don the Indian whites once again. His last few years in international cricket have seen him excel in ODIs and T20Is, where he has amassed 933 runs in 27 ODIs at an average of 42.4 and 796 runs in 32 T20Is at an average of 25.7. However, his opportunities in Test cricket have been limited, with just two appearances so far, scoring 78 runs at an average of 78.0.
As Kishan prepares to lead Jharkhand, his focus will undoubtedly be on scoring big runs and proving his mettle as a red-ball cricketer. With the Indian Test squad undergoing a phase of transition, a strong performance in the Buchi Babu Trophy could pave the way for his return to the national side.
Looking Ahead
The Buchi Babu Trophy, traditionally seen as a preparatory tournament before the domestic season, will be keenly watched this year, especially with Kishan’s involvement. His leadership, combined with his batting and wicketkeeping skills, will be crucial for Jharkhand’s success. More importantly, it will serve as a litmus test for Kishan’s aspirations to revive his Test career and establish himself as a versatile cricketer capable of excelling in all formats of the game.
As the tournament kicks off on August 15, all eyes will be on Ishan Kishan as he takes on this new challenge, leading Jharkhand with the dual goals of team success and personal redemption in Indian cricket’s most traditional format.
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