Ishan Kishan to captain Jharkhand in Buchi Babu Tournament

Ishan Kishan is set to captain Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu All-India Invitational Tournament, which will start on August 15 (Thursday) in Chennai. According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, the wicketkeeper-batter will join the squad in Chennai on Wednesday (August 14). 

Last week, reports suggested that Kishan had informed the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) that he would be available for the entire domestic season. India's domestic fixtures begin with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, and there’s now a possibility that the selectors could pick him for the red-ball tournament.

"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.

When Kishan opted for a break from international cricket ahead of the South Africa tour last year, he did not turn up to play for Jharkhand in domestic cricket and was consequently axed from BCCI's central contract. 

Kishan didn’t make himself available for his state side during his national team absence and went to Baroda instead to prepare for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Earlier this season, some reports hinted that the BCCI advised Kishan to play for Jharkhand in the upcoming domestic season in order to force a red-ball return. 

Kishan has played two Tests, 27 ODIs and 32 T20Is, scoring more than 1,800 runs. The left-hander also has a double century in the 50-over format. He last played for India in November 2023.

All you need to know about Buchi Babu Tournament 2024 ft SKY, Kishan

The Buchi Babu Tournament is a four-day clash tournament between 12 teams, who are drawn into four groups of three each. While there are 10 state teams, there will be two teams from Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) President’s XI and TNCA XI. Jharkhand are placed in Group A alongside Madhya Pradesh and Hyderabad.

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