Four-way competition in Indian Test team to open up as Ishan Kishan returns to domestic cricket

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Ishan Kishan was named captain of Jharkhand after making himself available for the Buchi Babu Tournament which will kick off in Tamil Nadu from August 15. The long-format tournament marks the return of Ishan Kishan to domestic cricket, and it is set to open a four-way competition in the Indian Test squad ahead of the Bangladesh series.

The development comes after Ishan Kishan made himself available for Ranji Trophy matches for Jharkhand after suggestions from well-wishers including a few national selectors. The 26-year-old wicket-keeper batter lost his BCCI central contract after showing reluctance to play domestic cricket despite repeated directives from the BCCI and Indian team management.

"With Ishan, it was never about ability. It was only about whether he was ready to return. The decision was with him. When he was not included in the initial list, it was only because we hadn't heard from him. The moment he expressed his keenness to return, he was drafted in," a JSCA functionary told ESPNcricinfo.

Ishan Kishan will join the team on Wednesday, August 14, and take his first step towards putting himself in contention to make an India comeback ahead of the home Test and T20I series against Bangladesh in September-October.

What Ishan Kishan's return means for India cricket team?

Ishan Kishan's playing domestic cricket will open up his path for an India comeback. The team will be playing 10 Test matches in the next five months, and the BCCI selectors will be more than happy to have an extra option for the wicketkeeper-batter slot.

Rishabh Pant is also fit now, and raring to make a Test comeback. KL Rahul, who was dropped because of injury during the Test series against England, will also be more than eager to earn a recall. Dhurv Jurel made the most of the opportunity in Rahul's absence, and also would be hoping for a chance.

Ishan Kishan made his Test debut in West Indies in July 2023, and scored 78 runs in three innings including a fifty. The 26-year-old southpaw's last outing for India came back in October 2023. He was part of the T20I series against South Africa in December but Jitesh Sharma played ahead of him in all the matches. He pulled out of his name from the following Test series because of not getting regular opportunities in the eleven.

Ishan Kishan was part of India's Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023 squads, but could play only a handful of matches. KL Rahul replaced him in the playing eleven at the Asia Cup despite a stunning knock against Pakistan, while he had to make room for Shubman Gill in the World Cup after featuring in the first two games.

Out of the team for more than nine months now, Ishan Kishan has finally made himself available for the upcoming domestic season which starts with Duleep Trophy first-class matches in September. He has been included in the list of 25 pre-season probables by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).