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India National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has made his Test ambitions clear after leading East Zone to a massive innings-and-210-run win over North-East Zone in the first quarterfinal of the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2026 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru.
The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter wants to return to India’s Test team, having last played in the format against the West Indies in 2023. Since then, he has gone through a difficult phase but has slowly rebuilt his career through domestic cricket.
Ishan Kishan sets sights on India Test return after massive Duleep Trophy win
Ishan Kishan has already shown that he can fight his way back. Earlier this year, the left-handed batter returned to India’s T20I team and played an important role in the team’s historic T20 World Cup 2026 triumph earlier this year at home.
He later returned to the ODI team as well. Now, his next target is Test cricket. Amid this, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya set for comeback in West Indies series.
Ishan Kishan said after the match, as quoted by The Indian Express: “One hundred per cent. Anyone who has played Test cricket would love this format. We know its importance and how it helps one get better. People don’t believe me, but I really do enjoy red-ball cricket. My only job is to score runs and make my team win.”
Ishan Kishan admits tough road back to India Test Team
However, the competition is extremely tough. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel are currently ahead of Ishan, and both have been producing strong performances. Ishan admitted that he will need to work hard rather than worry about other players. His focus is simply on scoring runs and helping his team win.
He added, “I need a lot of effort to get back in the Test team. Dhruv and Rishabh are doing so well. They are continuously scoring runs. I’m very happy for both of them. At the same time, my job is to not think about what can go wrong for them but to keep getting better. If it’s meant to happen, it will.”
Ishan Kishan opens up on his love for red-ball cricket
Ishan also insisted that he genuinely enjoys red-ball cricket. He likes the challenge of moving deliveries, aggressive fielders and the pressure created by opponents over long spells.
The 28-year-old further explained, “I love this game (red ball). I enjoy it because when you are in the middle, the ball is moving, players are coming at you, and there is banter going on with the other team. It’s always fun to be part of it because I love that challenge. Yes, it’s easier to bat on flat tracks and fun as well, but the competition in Tests is different.”
Ishan's honest admission after Duleep Trophy dismissal
Later, Ishan also admitted that switching from white-ball cricket to Test cricket is difficult but enjoyable. In the Duleep Trophy, he tried to play a ball towards third man and got out. He realised that he needs to be more patient and leave some deliveries instead of trying to play every ball. He also admitted that sometimes batters try to avoid any mistakes, but it happens.
