Ishan Kishan, the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, is set to captain Jharkhand in the upcoming 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. Kishan, who last appeared in the prestigious domestic tournament during the 2022-23 season, had skipped the previous edition. His return to the squad brings both experience and leadership to the side, which has undergone significant changes following the retirement of several senior players.
This marks a comeback for Kishan not only in Jharkhand’s Ranji setup but also in his leadership role, having last captained the team in the 2018-19 season. Virat Singh, who captained Jharkhand last season, has been named vice-captain for the upcoming matches. Notably, Saurabh Tiwary, the former captain who led in their final game last season, has since retired from first-class cricket, leaving a leadership void that Kishan is expected to fill.
Kishan’s Recent Domestic Performances
Kishan’s return to domestic first-class cricket has been gradual but steady. He recently played for the Rest of India team in the Irani Cup against Mumbai, scoring 38 runs in his only innings. Although he did not take up wicketkeeping duties in that match, with Dhruv Jurel handling those responsibilities, Kishan’s batting remains a key asset for Jharkhand.
In addition to the Irani Cup, Kishan featured in the Duleep Trophy for India C earlier this year, marking his return to the longer format after a hiatus since December 2022. Despite these appearances, Kishan had lost his central contract with the BCCI, alongside Shreyas Iyer, prompting a stronger emphasis from the board on players participating in domestic tournaments when not representing the national side.
Jharkhand’s Squad for the Season Opener
Jharkhand’s selection committee has named a 16-member squad for the first two games of the Ranji Trophy season. The team is a youthful one, with the inclusion of upcoming talents such as wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra and all-rounder Anukul Roy. Veterans like Saurabh Tiwary, Shahbaz Nadeem, and Varun Aaron have all retired, paving the way for a new generation of players under Kishan’s leadership.
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Kumar Kushagra, Jharkhand’s designated wicketkeeper, is expected to continue behind the stumps, leaving Kishan free to focus on his captaincy and batting. The team’s season opener will see them face Assam in Guwahati, as part of the Elite Group D. Last season, Jharkhand finished third from the bottom in Group A, winning two out of seven matches.
Subroto Das, the chairman of Jharkhand’s selection committee, expressed confidence in the team’s prospects for the upcoming season. “Ishan is an experienced player and he has international experience,” Das stated. “We have picked a very young team. Saurabh Tiwary, Shahbaz Nadeem, and Varun Aaron had all retired after last season, so we had to rethink our strategy. Ishan is capable of leading this young side, and we’re confident of doing well this Ranji season.”
Jharkhand Squad for the First Two Matches:
- Ishan Kishan (captain)
- Virat Singh (vice-captain)
- Kumar Kushagra (wk)
- Nazim Siddique
- Aryaman Sen
- Sharandeep Singh
- Kumar Suraj
- Anukul Roy
- Utkarsh Singh
- Supriyo Chakraborty
- Saurabh Shekhar
- Vikas Kumar
- Vivekanand Tiwary
- Manishi
- Ravi Kumar Yadav
- Raunak Kumar
With a blend of youth and experience, Jharkhand will be looking to improve upon their performance from last season. The absence of seasoned campaigners Tiwary, Nadeem, and Aaron will present a challenge, but the presence of Kishan at the helm, with his international experience and aggressive mindset, is expected to steer the team in a positive direction.
The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season is crucial for both Kishan and Jharkhand, as they aim to make a strong start against Assam and secure their position in the upper echelons of the Elite Group D.
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