Ishan Kishan, star Indian cricket team wicketkeeper-batter, finally made a return to competitive cricket at the DY Patil T20 Cup on Tuesday. Ishan Kishan's absence from competitive cricket made big news since he opted for a break midway into India's Tour of South Africa. Since then, he was ignored for the home T20 series against Afghanistan and the Test series against England. Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid made it clear that he has to play some form of cricket to make a comeback to the national side.
However, he missed the Ranji Trophy and instead chose to train with his IPL captain Hardik Pandya. he even shared a video of his gym session with Hardik Pandya. On Tuesday, Ishan Kishan was finally seen in action for Reserve Bank of India (RBI) team against Route Mobile Limited in Navi Mumbai. Kishan kept the wickets for RBI as his team fielded first following Route Mobile's decision to bat.
On his return, Kishan played a part in one dismissal as he stumped Sumit Dhekale off Sayan Mondal at the DY Patil University Ground. Then with the bat, he entertained for a bit as he made 19 off 12 balls with two boundaries and a six. Kishan was dismissed while trying to hit Maxwell Swaminathan at mid-off. RBI were chasing a target of 193 and Ishan Kishan fell in the fourth over.
Route batted first and posted 192 for eight in their 20 overs thanks to Aayush Vartan's 54 off 31 balls with five boundaries and three sixes. Dhekale made 42 off just 17 balls with one boundary and five sixes. In their response RBI self-destructed as they were shot out for just 103 in 16.3 overs. For Route the best bowler was Badrey Alam (5-20).
Recently, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah made it clear on Wednesday that all centrally contracted cricketers will have to mandatorily play red-ball cricket in the domestic circuit and the management will not tolerate any kind of excuses in the matter.
While interacting with the reporters at the sidelines of the renaming ceremony of the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Shah pointed out that all players will have to represent their state teams if called upon by coach or captain. The statement came amidst the controversy surrounding Ishan Kishan and reports that suggest that BCCI has asked him to play for Jharkhand in Ranji Trophy.
Shah mentioned Kishan during the interaction but quickly added that the announcement was not targeted towards him and this rule will apply for all cricketers who are not part of the national team.
"All contracted players have been told on phone and I'll be writing to them too. If chairman of selectors, coach & captain want you to play red-ball cricket then you gotta play. 'Nakhre Nahi Chalenge' (no tantrums). And as far as Ishan Kishan is concerned, he is young, I am not saying this specifically about him as it will be applicable for all the players uniformly," Jay Shah told reporters.
"Everyone will have to play, otherwise, the chairman of the selection committee has given me his suggestions and I am going to give him a free hand to let him take his own calls freely," he added.