Ishan Kishan’s wait to rejoin the Indian cricket team continues as Jitesh Sharma has been chosen over him for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Despite being one of the top wicketkeeper-batters in IPL 2024, where he scored 320 runs at a strike rate of 148.83, Kishan was not included in the squad. Reports suggested that he might have been brought in as a backup wicketkeeper since Rishabh Pant is resting. However, the selectors chose to go with Jitesh Sharma instead.

Kishan, who has been out of the national team for 10 months, has been working hard to make a comeback. Though he initially refused to play domestic cricket earlier this year, he has since participated in the Buchi Babu Tournament and Duleep Trophy. He is also set to represent the Rest of India in the Irani Cup 2024 against Mumbai.

Jitesh Sharma, on the other hand, had a lackluster IPL 2024 season, scoring just 218 runs at an average of 16.76 and a strike rate of 132.92. However, his ability to bat lower down the order made him a preferred choice. With an opening-heavy Indian lineup, having Jitesh in the squad could provide the team with more balance.

Kishan’s road to redemption seems tied to his performance in domestic cricket, while Jitesh’s selection marks his return after a brief stint with the national team last year when Pant was recovering from an accident.

Ishan Kishan continues his return to red-ball cricket with his selection in the Rest of India (RoI) squad for the upcoming Irani Cup, which will be played from October 1 to 5 in Lucknow. Kishan, who marked his first-class return with a century in the Duleep Trophy for India C, is one of two wicketkeepers in the squad. Dhruv Jurel has also been picked, though his participation depends on whether he plays in India’s second Test against Bangladesh.

The RoI squad will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, and includes prominent players such as Yash Dayal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Prasidh Krishna. Notably absent is Mohammed Shami, who is currently recovering from an ankle surgery and aiming for a Ranji Trophy return in October.

Mumbai will be led by Ajinkya Rahane and features key players like Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, and Shardul Thakur. The match, originally scheduled to be played in Mumbai, was moved to Lucknow due to potential weather interruptions.

The Irani Cup will provide crucial match practice for players aiming to secure spots in India’s upcoming international tours.

RoI Squad Highlights:

• Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt)
• Ishan Kishan (wk)
• Dhruv Jurel (wk) (subject to Test selection)
• Yash Dayal
• Prasidh Krishna
• Ricky Bhui

Ishan Kishan, who has been in good form with stellar performances in domestic cricket, is not part of the India squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Despite his standout showings in the Buchi Babu tournament and the Duleep Trophy, Kishan’s name is missing from the team sheet. This has left many fans wondering why he wasn’t selected for the series.

The main reason seems to be the return of Rishabh Pant to the Test squad. With Pant back and Dhruv Jurel also in the team as a wicketkeeper, there simply may not be room for another player in that role. Additionally, KL Rahul, who can also keep wickets, is already in the squad. This overcrowding of wicketkeeper options might have led to Kishan’s exclusion.

It’s also important to note that Kishan, who has only played two Test matches so far, was left out of India’s central contract after skipping domestic cricket earlier in the year. While his performances have been strong, the timing of the Duleep Trophy second round, which came after the squad announcement, might have further impacted his selection chances.

When Will Ishan Kishan Return?

Fans are now looking ahead to see when Kishan might return to the Indian team. There’s speculation that he could make a comeback in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Though nothing is confirmed yet, Kishan is reportedly in line for selection and could soon be back in the mix.

Ishan Kishan’s Stats

• Test Matches: 2 matches, 78 runs, high score of 52*, average of 78, strike rate of 85.7, 1 fifty
• T20I Matches: 32 matches, 796 runs, high score of 89, average of 25.7, strike rate of 124.4, 6 fifties

India’s squad for the 1st Test vs Bangladesh includes Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.

Ishan Kishan may be on the verge of making his international comeback during the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Kishan, who last played for India on November 28, 2023, has been out of the squad for several months after requesting time off and missing domestic matches. His absence even led to his exclusion from the BCCI’s central contract.

Kishan has been working his way back by playing domestic cricket, currently featuring for India C in the Duleep Trophy. His performances in first-class cricket could open the door for a return to the national team next month.

There is also a possibility that Rishabh Pant, India’s regular wicketkeeper, could be rested. Pant has been playing non-stop cricket since his return in March, including upcoming Test matches. If he is rested, Kishan would be a fitting replacement as a left-handed wicketkeeper batter.

Additionally, vice-captain Shubman Gill may be rested due to workload management, giving Kishan a chance to open the innings in the T20Is.

The India vs Bangladesh T20I series is set to take place on:

• October 6 in Gwalior
• October 9 in Delhi
• October 12 in Hyderabad
  Each match will start at 7 PM IST.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is gearing up to make a strong return to competitive cricket as he prepares to captain Jharkhand in the upcoming Buchi Babu Invitational tournament. This move marks the beginning of his journey towards regaining a spot in the Indian cricket team.

Kishan to Captain Jharkhand

• Leadership Role: Ishan Kishan will lead the Jharkhand team in the Buchi Babu Trophy. Despite not being initially named in the squad, Kishan expressed his desire to participate, leading to his inclusion.
• Joining the Team: He is expected to join his teammates in Chennai on Wednesday to start preparations for the tournament.

Path to Comeback

• Focus on Domestic Cricket: Kishan’s decision to participate in the Buchi Babu Trophy signals his intent to make a full-fledged return to first-class cricket. He is also expected to play in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, marking his return to the red-ball format after a hiatus.
• Background: In 2024, Kishan chose to sit out of domestic cricket, which led to his exclusion from the BCCI Central Contract list and the Indian team across all formats. His return to domestic cricket is seen as a crucial step towards reclaiming his place in the national side.

Challenges Ahead

• Selectors’ Expectations: Reports suggest that the selectors wanted Kishan to return to the red-ball format in domestic cricket to consider him for a spot in the Indian team. However, with stiff competition, his path to a comeback won’t be easy.
• JSCA’s Support: A JSCA functionary mentioned that Kishan’s absence was never about his ability but rather about his readiness to return. Now that he is back, there is optimism about his potential to shine in the domestic circuit.