Will explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan return to Team India? This question has been on the lips of Indian cricket fans for the last several months. Ishan's career seemed to be in trouble till some time back after he suddenly withdrew his name from Team India and then did not listen to BCCI boss Jay Shah. Now it seems that after the arrival of new coach Gautam Gambhir, his days have started improving and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar has started showing confidence in him again, which has increased the chances of his return to Team India. This is being believed because after the Duleep Trophy, Ishan Kishan has now been selected for the Irani Cup as well.
The Irani Cup match will be played between Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai and Rest of India from October 1. For this match of first class format, BCCI announced the squad of Rest of India and Ishan Kishan has been selected as the wicketkeeper. Apart from him, Dhruv Jurel has also been included as the wicketkeeper but at present he is a part of the Test series with Team India. If Jurel does not get a chance in the second Test against Bangladesh, then he will join the team for the Irani Cup.
Ishan Kishan's selection for the Irani Cup shows that he is once again on the radar of the selection committee and team management, which is a good sign for him. After suddenly returning from the South Africa tour in December last year, Ishan Kishan did not play domestic cricket despite the requests of former coach Rahul Dravid and BCCI secretary Jay Shah. After this, the BCCI dropped him from the central contract. However, Ishan expressed his intention to return by performing well in the IPL and then playing the Buchi Babu tournament. From here the doors of his return also started opening, when the selection committee selected him in the India C team for the Duleep Trophy and then he also scored a brilliant century there.
After his good innings in the Duleep Trophy, he has now been included in the Irani Cup as well. Now it is certain that his selection in the playing eleven from the Rest of India side is certain. It is also possible that despite Dhruv Jurel being available, Ishan will get the responsibility of wicketkeeping. This has raised the question whether this is a sign of Ishan's return to Team India? If Ishan performs well here, then it is possible that he will return to Team India, that too next month.
Team India has to play a T20 series against Bangladesh in October, in which Ishan may get a chance but not only this, but the chances of his return in the Test series against New Zealand have also increased now. Team India coach Gautam Gambhir has also been a fan of Ishan Kishan and even before becoming the coach, he has been in favor of giving Ishan continuous opportunities in Team India. In such a situation, Gambhir's contribution is also seen in Ishan getting continuous opportunities, who probably wants to see him back in Team India again. Whether this will happen or not, it will be clear in the next few days.
