Ishan Kishan made a remarkable comeback in the Duleep Trophy 2024, scoring a scintillating hundred for India C against India B at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur. His inclusion in the squad came as a surprise, but Kishan seized the opportunity to showcase his talent and reaffirm his place in the domestic cricket scene.
Ishan Kishan’s brilliance with the bat
Kishan was a late addition to the India C squad after missing the first round for India D due to an accident. His return to the Duleep Trophy was eagerly anticipated, and he did not disappoint. With Abhishek Porel taking over wicketkeeping duties, Kishan was included as a specialist batter. This strategic move paid off handsomely for India C.
Early Setbacks and Recovery
India C faced early setbacks when captain Ruturaj Gaikwad retired hurt after facing just two balls due to a twisted ankle. Despite this blow, opener Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar steadied the innings with a 92-run partnership. Sudharsan scored 43 off 75 balls, while Patidar contributed 40 off 67 balls.
Kishan walked in to bat after Patidar’s dismissal and quickly lost Sudharsan. However, he found a reliable partner in Baba Indrajith. Kishan’s aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking, and he reached his fifty in just 48 balls. His innings was a masterclass in counterattacking cricket, as he took on a formidable bowling attack comprising Test bowlers like Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Washington Sundar.
A Century to Remember
Kishan’s hundred came off just 119 balls, featuring 14 fours and two sixes. His brisk scoring rate and ability to find gaps with ease put India C in a commanding position. Kishan’s innings was not just about power hitting; it was a display of finesse and timing. His partnership with Indrajith, who also scored a fifty, was crucial in stabilizing the innings and setting a solid foundation for a big total.
Ishan Kishan century moment in the Duleep Trophy! 🌟
– A class return by Kishan. 👏pic.twitter.com/xRMbxt36jU
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 12, 2024
Kishan’s journey back to first-class cricket has been anything but smooth. After playing his last first-class match in July 2023 during India’s tour of the West Indies, he took a break from Test cricket. His absence from domestic cricket saw him being left out of the BCCI’s list of centrally contracted cricketers. However, his performance in the Buchi Babu Trophy, where he scored a hundred against Madhya Pradesh, marked his return to form.
Kishan’s hundred was instrumental in India C’s strong performance on the first day of the match. His aggressive batting not only put pressure on the bowlers but also boosted the morale of his teammates. By the end of the day, India C had reached 357 for five, with Kishan’s 111 being the standout performance.
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