Jay Shah’s No-Nonsense Warning To Ishan Kishan: ‘Follow the Rules’ Amidst India Return Speculation
New Delhi: India’s wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan was named among the 61 players for the upcoming round one of the 2024 Duleep Trophy on Wednesday. The decision by the BCCI’s selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has fueled speculation about Ishan’s potential return to the Indian squad. The domestic red-ball tournament, scheduled from September 5 to 24 in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, and Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, is expected to be pivotal in selecting the Indian Test team for the upcoming two-match home series against Bangladesh. However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah delivered a clear message to Ishan ahead of his return to domestic cricket.
Ishan has been absent from the Indian squad since December 2023, after he took a mental health break prior to the Test series in South Africa. Subsequently, he was left out of the BCCI’s central contract list in February, as he failed to comply with the board’s mandate requiring all Indian players to participate in the domestic season when not engaged in national duties.
Ishan, who made his return to competitive cricket during IPL 2024 for Mumbai Indians, was overlooked for both the T20 World Cup and the three subsequent white-ball series India played. However, after reportedly receiving counsel from the BCCI, Ishan made himself available for the upcoming domestic season. This decision has renewed the selectors’ faith in him, leading to his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy, which could pave the way for his return to the Indian squad for the Bangladesh series.
Ahead of Ishan’s much-anticipated return, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah delivered a clear message regarding Ishan’s potential comeback to the Indian squad, saying: “He will have to follow the rules. He will have to play domestic cricket.”
Ishan Kishan is currently participating in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, where he is leading the Jharkhand Cricket Association. On Friday, during day 2 of Jharkhand’s opening match against Madhya Pradesh, Ishan showcased his prowess by smashing an 86-ball century, eventually scoring 114 runs. His explosive knock helped his team surpass Madhya Pradesh’s first-innings total of 225. Marking his first appearance in red-ball cricket since his international debut for India in July 2023 during the West Indies tour, Ishan hit back-to-back sixes to reach his century and totaled nine sixes in just 39 balls.