Home India news – Ishan Kishan is all set to return with the red ball, to lead Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu Trophy

The move is seen as the first step in the wicketkeeper-batter’s full return to first-class cricket. ESPNcricinfo understands that Kishan has taken the decision to participate, and was drafted while speaking to the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).

“With Ishan, it was never about skill,” said the JSCA official. “It was just a matter of whether he is ready to return. The decision was up to him. When he was not included in the first list, it was because we had not heard anything about him. When he expressed his desire to return, he just hit the ground running. It was written down.”

Kishan’s return to red-ball cricket comes at a time when India are entering a long Test season, which includes 10 matches over the next five months, but the comeback will not be easy. Kishan made his Test debut during India’s tour of the West Indies last year, while Rishabh Pant was recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident in December 2022.

He may have been on the verge of a Test comeback during the five-Test home series against England earlier this year, but lost out to KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel after informing the selectors that he was not ready. He also did not take part in the Ranji Trophy, and the selectors, whose input was put on the board by the BCCI when drawing up a list of midfield contracts, were unhappy that Kishan used his time away from the game to train privately with his team. IPL captain Hardik Pandya in Baroda, instead of playing for Jharkhand.

Pant is back in action, and Jurel, who impressed with his batting and glovework against England, particularly during the man-of-the-match display in Ranchi, has moved ahead of Kishan in India’s red-ball line-up.

Kishan, who was on a Grade C contract until his loss this year, has played in 17 Tests, 17 ODIs and 11 T20Is in 2023. He was also part of the Indian squad during their run to the 2023 ODI World Cup final, and played two matches at the top of the order when Shubman Gill was ill.

“This is what it means to be positive. There is no such thing as wanting to prove something to someone else. I have to go there and be happy. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t put pressure on yourself with these things that are not in your hands.”