Ishan Kishan uncertain for first Duleep Trophy game

Attacking southpaw is an uncertain starter for the Duleep Trophy 2024 dual commencing in Anantapur on Thursday (September 5). The wicket-keeper batter is a member of Shreyas Iyer-led team D. The reason for Kishan’s unlikely availability is still unclear but it is understood that he may be carrying an injury. 

Sanju Samson, who was not originally named in any of the four sides announced, is the likely candidate to replace Kishan. 

Kishan’s participation in the next phases of the four-day first-class tournament remains undisclosed at the moment. Apart from that, it will also be contingent on Indian team selection for the upcoming two-test match series against Bangladesh, but there is a likelihood that he could feature in the later stages of the competition. The four teams will play matches each, and Team D’s second match is up against Team A. 

Kishan played for his state team, Jharkhand, in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament but his involvement was limited to two matches as his team failed to reach beyond the league stage. He played two games in the TNCA-organised competition against Madhya Pradesh and Hyderabad. Jharkhand emerged victorious in their first clash and lost their second game before being eliminated.

In the second match organised at the India Cements Ground in Shankar Nagar, Chennai, Kishan struggled with his timing and scored a combined 6 runs (1& 5)  in the two innings before his team was knocked out. In the opening game, Kishan made a statement with an authoritative 114 in the first inning followed by an unbeaten 41 in the second innings. 

Last season, the 26-year-old was sidelined by the national selectors on disciplinary grounds after he skipped some Ranji Trophy games despite strict instructions from the Indian Cricket Board to the contrary. It is learnt that Kishan has been informed that he would be eligible for national selection once he plays in the domestic circuit. 

Kishan might have partially met this prerequisite by partaking in the Buchi Babu tournament. However, the red ball tournament is not seen as a national competition. His inclusion in the Duleep Trophy mix may be evocative and suggestive that selectors were starting to ease their firm stance against him and it remains unknown how they will deal with his last-minute withdrawal.  

Prasidh Krishna to miss Team A’s opening game

Prasidh Krishna’s return to the field from quad injury has been further delayed with captain Shubman Gill confirming the unavailability of the pacer for at least the first game slated in Bengaluru from September 5. The 28-year-old had missed the entirety of the Indian T20 League 2024 due to surgery in February and was anticipated to return to the recently concluded Karnataka T20 League.