Indian wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan might not play in the first round of the Duleep Trophy, starting Friday, September 5. According to a report from Cricbuzz, he may have picked up an injury while playing for Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu Tournament.
Kishan was chosen for Team D, led by Shreyas Iyer, in this red-ball competition that starts the domestic cricket season in India. While the exact details and severity of his injury are unclear, he is expected to participate in the later stages of the tournament.
Sanju Samson as a Possible Replacement
If Kishan cannot play in the tournament opener, fellow wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson might take his place. Samson was not originally named in any of the four teams. Team D’s first match will be against Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Team C in Anantapur.
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A Chance for Kishan to Return to the National Team
The Duleep Trophy is an opportunity for Ishan Kishan to make a comeback to the national team. He was left out of the contract list after missing the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 for Jharkhand, even though he wasn’t busy with the national side. His last appearance for India was during the South Africa tour in December 2023, where he left the team midway through the series, citing mental fatigue.
Kishan showed promise by leading Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu tournament, scoring a century in the first innings against Madhya Pradesh and remaining unbeaten on 41 in the second innings during a successful chase. However, he struggled against Hyderabad, scoring only six runs across both innings.
Other Players Missing from the Duleep Trophy
Ishan Kishan is not the only player facing issues before the Duleep Trophy. Suryakumar Yadav also had to withdraw from the opening match after injuring his hand in Mumbai’s loss to TNCA XI in the Buchi Babu tournament.
Additionally, the BCCI withdrew Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja from the competition. Siraj and Umran Malik are recovering from illness, and Navdeep Saini and Gaurav Yadav have been named as their replacements.
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