Tuesday marked Ishan Kishan’s return to competitive cricket, coinciding with Shreyas Iyer’s decision to join Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy semifinal against Tamil Nadu. Ishan entered the DY Patil T20 Cup 2024, stepping into the shoes of a wicketkeeper-batsman, a role previously filled by Hardik Pandya.
Ishan’s last game dated back to November 2023 in a T20I against Australia. Later, during South Africa’s tour, he opted out, citing mental health concerns, despite being the anticipated wicketkeeper for the Test series.
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Rahul Dravid, India’s head coach, emphasized respect for Ishan’s decision but noted that a return would necessitate active playtime. Dravid’s assurance was clear: opportunities remain open for everyone, contingent on readiness and active participation in cricket, regardless of the level.
Heeding Dravid’s advice, Ishan re-engaged with cricket, participating in a T20 match for RBI against Route Mobile Limited, alongside notable players like Shahbaz Nadeem and Amit Mishra.
Looking forward, Ishan aims to rejoin the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, competing for the wicketkeeper role against talents like Sanju Samson and KL Rahul, in the upcoming IPL 2024 season with Mumbai Indians.
