Ishan Kishan's Return to Red-Ball Cricket: A New Chapter Begins

Ishan Kishan is set to lead Jharkhand in the upcoming Buchi Babu tournament, a pre-season red-ball competition scheduled to begin in Tamil Nadu on August 15. Although Kishan was initially absent from Jharkhand's roster, he will join the team in Chennai on Wednesday.

This move marks the first step towards the wicketkeeper-batter’s return to first-class cricket. According to sources, Kishan himself made the decision to participate in the tournament and was added to the squad once he communicated his intent to the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).

Kishan’s return to the Ranji Trophy is also anticipated for the 2024-25 season, following his indication to state selectors of his desire to rejoin. His last appearance in a domestic first-class match was in December 2022. Kishan had distanced himself from the Ranji Trophy towards the end of the 2023-24 domestic season, a decision that led to his removal from the BCCI’s central contracts list, as the board prioritised players committed to domestic cricket.

A JSCA official mentioned that the issue with Kishan was never about his ability but rather his readiness to return to the game. They explained that when Kishan wasn't included in the initial squad, it was simply because they hadn’t heard from him. The moment he expressed interest in returning, he was promptly included in the team.

Kishan’s re-entry into red-ball cricket comes as India prepares for a busy Test season, with 10 matches scheduled over the next five months. However, a comeback to the national Test team won’t be straightforward. Kishan made his Test debut during India’s tour of the West Indies last year, stepping in while Rishabh Pant recovered from injuries sustained in a car accident in December 2022.

Kishan's last first-class match was during the second Test of the Caribbean tour in July 2023. He was also selected for the 2023-24 South Africa tour but requested to be released due to mental fatigue. Though he was considered for a Test return during the home series against England earlier this year, he lost out to KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel after informing the selectors that he wasn’t ready. Instead of participating in the Ranji Trophy, Kishan opted to train privately with his IPL captain Hardik Pandya in Baroda, a decision that did not sit well with the selectors, whose feedback influences the BCCI’s central contracts list.

With Pant back in the team and Jurel impressing against England, particularly with a standout performance in Ranchi, Kishan finds himself further down the pecking order in India’s red-ball setup. Despite holding a Grade C contract until this year, Kishan featured in two Tests, 17 ODIs, and 11 T20Is in 2023. He was also part of India’s squad during their journey to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, stepping in at the top of the order in two matches when Shubman Gill was unwell.

Reflecting on his time away from the game, Kishan noted in April that taking a break often invites speculation and criticism, especially on social media. However, he emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, understanding that players can only make the most of the opportunities they have. Kishan shared that his focus is on enjoying the game without adding unnecessary pressure on himself, particularly for things beyond his control.