Ishan Kishan returns to competitive cricket in DY Patil T20 Cup

Ishan Kishan made his much-awaited return to competitive cricket for RBI in the DY Patil T20 Cup on Tuesday. Kishan has been out of action since November last year when he played for India against Australia in a T20I contest. He asked to be removed from Test tour of South Africa due to personal reasons and has missed all cricket since - including the Ranji Trophy matches for Jharkhand.

In the DY Patil T20 Cup, Kishan’s first match is against Route Mobile at the DY Patil University Grounds in Navi Mumbai. The 25-year-old took the gloves as Route Mobile batted first and scored 192 runs from 20 overs. In reply, Kishan came to open the innings and scored 12 runs from 19 balls hitting two fours and a six.

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Ishan has drawn criticism for his lengthy absence from cricket despite not being injured. He was implored to play Ranji Trophy but opted against it - earning an indirect rebuke from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian team captain Rohit Sharma.

Indian head coach Rahul Dravid had urged Kishan to play “domestic cricket” for an India return before clarifying that “he needs to play some cricket and come back.”

“Ishan requested for a break, which we agreed in South Africa. We supported it. He has not yet made himself available. When he is available, he will play domestic cricket and make himself available for selection,” Dravid had said in January.

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With Rishabh Pant injured, India have dabbled with multiple wicketkeeper options. KS Bharat played against England first before Dhruv Jurel debuted and made a mark.

With Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer, sitting out of Ranji Trophy matches despite being fit, BCCI secretary Jay Shah hit out at centrally contracted players for skipping domestic cricket competitions.

“They (players) have been informed on phone already and I’m going to write letters as well that if your chairman of selectors, your coach and your captain are asking for it then you will have to play red-ball cricket,” said Shah.

On Monday, after sealing the Test series against England, Rohit Sharma also issued a warning to those who miss red-ball cricket in favour of the IPL. “If you want success and want to excel in this tough format then you need that hunger. It is very important. We will give opportunity only to players who have that hunger. You come to know [easily] the players who don’t have that hunger, [or] players who don’t want to stay here [and play this format]. We come to know that.”

“Players who have that hunger, players who want to stay here and perform, [and] play in tough conditions, we will give preference to them. Obviously, it is pretty simple: if you don’t have hunger, there’s no meaning playing such players,” added Rohit.

On Monday, Hardik Pandya also made his much-awaited return from injury. The India allrounder played for Reliance against Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), where he batted and bowled. He bowled three overs, taking two wickets for 22 runs, and batted at No 10 in his team’s two-wicket win.

DY Patil T20 tournament is a corporate tournament that is not affiliated to the BCCI but is used by players to prepare for the IPL. Iyer will also be involved in the competition representing Bharat Petrochemical Ltd.