Buchi Babu Tournament 2024: Ishan Kishan smashes (114 off 107) hundred in his comeback game for Jharkhand.
Ishan Kishan made a statement when he slammed a ton against Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing 2024 Buchi Babu Tournament. Captaining Jharkhand, Kishan scored 114 off 107 balls with 5 fours and 10 sixes. But it was his knock in the second innings that silenced critics, albeit momentarily, about his form.
He led the chase of 175 successfully, smashing back-to-back sixes to help Jharkhand cross the finish line with 2 wickets in hand. Kishan ended with 41 not out. It was great to see Kishan bring his big-hitting style to red-ball cricket. He played his natural attacking game, staying true to his instincts and not letting past performances or the match situation hold him back.
What do the knocks mean for Kishan?
These dual knocks would have done a world of good to Kishan and his confidence ahead of a hectic season. Spots are still open in India’s national squad for the remaining 10 Tests in the World Test Championship 2023-25. Kishan needs to carry his form into the Duleep Trophy, where he will play for the India D squad, led by Shreyas Iyer.
In the Duleep Trophy, he will be rubbing shoulders with other national players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who will be getting into the groove ahead of the Test season. If Kishan can score runs consistently and be tidy behind the stumps, he can give serious competition to other keepers such as Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant, who are ahead in the queue for a Test squad berth.
Jurel did well in the Test series against England, while Pant has also performed up to expectations in the shortest format after his return to competitive cricket after his accident. But India’s coaching staff would not blindly punt on Jurel and Pant during the Test season. They will need backup keepers who are in form, and here’s where Kishan can come in handy.
Coach Gautam Gambhir is likely to reward form with a spot in the national team, and hence, Kishan needs to keep his run-scoring spree going. Also, India might need a like-for-like replacement for Pant in the important Test series Down Under, where an aggressive left-handed batter can counterattack and derail the opposition’s plans. Kishan is best suited to replace Pant or be the backup to his former U-19 World Cup teammate.
Read More: Ishan Kishan in Jharkhand's list of probables for 2024-25 season; What the future holds for him?
Coming back from a tough last year
It would not have been easy going into the Buchi Babu tournament after a tough last year or so where Ishan Kishan not only lost his place in India’s squad but also his central contract. Kishan opted out of India’s squad in December 2023 due to mental fatigue. He was later removed from the central contract’s list after failing to adhere to BCCI’s directive to play domestic cricket when not playing for the national team. He also had a poor IPL 2024 season, putting a big question mark on his national team selection. But now, with his big-hitting and form back, Kishan needs to take one match at a time and keep scoring runs consistently to get back in the national team’s reckoning.
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