After a century in the first innings, Jharkhand skipper Ishan Kishan stole the limelight once again by bringing his team's victory over Madhya Pradesh in the Buchi Babu tournament in a heroic fashion.
Ishan, who marked his return to red-ball domestic cricket in the match, scored 107 off 114 balls in the first innings, with his century coming off just 86 balls. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman delivered the goods again in the second innings with an unbeaten 41 to take Jharkhand to a narrow two-wicket win.
Needing 12 runs to win with just two wickets left to play with, Ishan took matters in his hands and ended the game with two sixes off MP bowler Akash Rajawat
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Ishan is also expected to make a comeback to Ranji Trophy, with his last domestic first-class appearance coming in December 2022. His decision to stay away from domestic cricket cost him a central contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In a recent interview with Times of India, BCCI secretary Jay Shah had reiterated that Ishan "will have to follow the rules and play domestic cricket".
"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 (Jharkhand squad for Buchi Babu tournament), it was only because we hadn't heard from him. The moment he expressed his keenness to return, he was drafted in," a Jharkhand State Cricket Association functionary was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
As far as his international career is concerned, the 26-year-old Ishan has so far played 2 Tests, 27 ODIs and 32 T20Is for India.
He made his India debut in a T20I against England in March 2021.
