Ishan Kishan, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make a significant return to first-class cricket by leading Jharkhand in the upcoming Buchi Babu Trophy, a pre-season red-ball tournament in Tamil Nadu. Kishan’s inclusion in the squad marks a crucial step towards his full-fledged comeback to the Ranji Trophy fold, which is expected during the 2024-25 season.
Kishan’s decision to participate in the Buchi Babu Trophy stems from his desire to return to first-class cricket, which he communicated to the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA). His last domestic first-class game was in December 2022, and his absence from the Ranji Trophy towards the end of the 2023-24 season cost him a place on the BCCI’s central contracts list.
Kishan’s return to red-ball cricket comes at a time when India is embarking on a long Test season, comprising 10 games over the next five months. However, a comeback to the Test team will not be easy. Kishan made his Test debut during India’s tour of the West Indies last year, but his last first-class game remains the second Test of that Caribbean tour in July 2023.
Despite being picked in the Test squad for the 2023-24 South Africa tour, Kishan requested to be released citing mental fatigue. He also declined a Test return during the five-Test home series against England earlier this year, informing the selectors that he wasn’t ready.
With Rishabh Pant now back in action and Dhruv Jurel impressing in the recent Test series against England, Kishan faces a tough challenge to regain his place in India’s red-ball setup. However, his participation in the Buchi Babu Trophy and his expressed desire to return to the Ranji Trophy indicate his determination to prove his worth.
