Surprise appearance by Ishan Kishan in Duleep Trophy 2024, makes stunning comeback with century for India 'C' squad

New Delhi: Star India batsman Ishan Kishan impressed everyone with a stunning century against India B in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024 on Thursday, September 12. It was a remarkable comeback for Ishan, who missed the first round of Duleep Trophy matches due to a groin injury he sustained while representing Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu tournament.

Ishan scored 111 runs off 126 deliveries, his innings consisted 14 fours and three sixes. He had a great partnership with Sai Sudarshan and Rajat Patidar who scored 43 and 40 respectively.

Larger changes came in the Duleep Trophy squads following the announcement of India’s squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, but Ishan Kishan’s name did not figure in the updated lists. Then, to the surprise of the fans, he was included in the India C playing XI for the match against India B.

Initially part of the India D squad, Ishan Kishan was replaced by Sanju Samson after missing the first round of matches due to injury. The situation further confused fans because the BCCI’s media release had stated that no changes were made to the India C squad. Despite this, Kishan was unexpectedly named in the India C playing XI, adding to the bewilderment surrounding his sudden reappearance.

The squads for second round of ongoing Duleep Trophy starting from September 12 were announced on Tuesday by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with star players Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav among those omitted.

BRING BACK ISHAN KISHANpic.twitter.com/dhxohg2NPU

— Virat Kohli (Parody) (@imVKohji) September 11, 2024

Ishan Kishan completed his most needed half century in Duleep trophy in only 48 balls ❤️‍

So proud of him!!@ishankishan51 #IshanKishan#DuleepTrophy #DuleepTrophy2024 pic.twitter.com/wJ5Cx583K5

— Ishan’s‍♀️ (@IshanWK32) September 12, 2024

Ishan was announced as 1st choice wk for india d for 1st round then he got ruled out due to groin injury & sanju replaced him in d side, then he was not part of any squad for 2nd round but right now he is in playing 11 of India C which was announced as unchanged for 2nd round pic.twitter.com/V2BsZow9xA

— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) September 12, 2024

A statement from BCCI said, “The Men’s Selection Committee have announced certain changes for the second round of the Duleep Trophy starting from 12th September in Anantapur.” India A Captain Gill, Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep and Akash Deep have been named in India’s Test squad for the series against Bangladesh and will not feature in the upcoming round.

The selectors have made several changes to the squad, naming Pratham Singh (Railways) as a replacement for Shubman Gill, Akshay Wadkar (Vidarbha CA) as a replacement for KL Rahul, and SK Rasheed (Andhra CA) as a replacement for Dinesh Karthik. Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani will take Kuldeep Yadav’s place, while Aaqib Khan (UPCA) replaces Akashdeep Singh in the squad.