Ishan Kishan to play competitive cricket for the 1st time after 2023 World Cup in this tournament

Out-of-favour Indian cricket team star Ishan Kishan is set to make a high-profile return to domestic cricket, representing Jharkhand in the upcoming season. Ishan has been named among the 25 pre-season probables for Jharkhand by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).

The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will kick off his domestic campaign in the Buchi Babu Invitational tournament, starting August 15 in Chennai. Kishan's move back to domestic cricket comes after crucial advice from his well-wishers and Indian selectors. The national selectors have reportedly told Kishan why he has been continuously omitted from Team India.

Ishan Kishan set for Domestic Cricket comeback with Jharkhand

Last year, the talented cricketer missed the entire domestic season, and it went against him, as the BCCI had also instructed all the players to be available for their respective states if they were not on national duty. Kishan had returned from South Africa in the middle of the tour due to mental health.

However, the wicketkeeper-batter denied participating in the Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand and prepared for the IPL 2024 at a Baroda academy, which irked the BCCI and Indian selectors, and later it became the reason for his ouster from Team India.

Ishan was not even considered for the ongoing white-ball tour of Sri Lanka after the England Tests and the T20 World Cup 2024. Even Kishan was dropped from the BCCI's central contract list.

With the BCCI mandating that all players must represent their states, Kishan is now looking forward to grabbing every opportunity in domestic cricket to revive his career and make a strong case for a return to the Indian cricket team. It is being said that Ishan confirmed his availability to the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) for this domestic season.

Ishan Kishan will play for Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu Tournament

A source aware of the development was quoted as saying by News 18: “Yes, Ishan Kishan is going to play for Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu tournament. It is a prestigious tournament where all top red-ball teams come and play. The conditions are challenging, and it’s the right way to prepare yourself for the long domestic grind ahead.”

ISHAN KISHAN WILL PLAY IN BUCHI BABU TOURNAMENT FOR JHARKHAND....!!!!

- Buchi Babu tournament starts on August 15th at Chennai. [Sahil Malhotra from News18] pic.twitter.com/1w2X1LsQ2Q

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 5, 2024

However, JSCA has not officially announced Kishan's plans for the season, but his state teammates have confirmed that the Indian star will be available for the selection. Notably, Ishan has so far represented India in 2 Tests, 27 ODIs, and 32 T20Is between July 2021 and November 2023.

SS Rao joined Jharkhand Cricket Team as head coach

He was part of India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad, but he didn’t get a chance to play. Well, the domestic season will kick off with the Duleep Trophy on September 5 in Andhra Pradesh, and Ishan is likely to also be considered for the captaincy.

Jharkhand has recently appointed SS Rao as their coach for the upcoming domestic season. The 41-year-old Rao, who played 52 first-class matches, takes over from Debasis Mohanty as the head coach of the Jharkhand cricket team. Rao's appointment comes following a recommendation from the JSCA's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).