Ishan Kishan's inclusion in the Duleep Trophy after his strong performance in the Buchi Babu Invitational has fueled speculation about his possible return to the Indian team.

New Delhi: India wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan was on Wednesday named among the 61 players for the upcoming round of the 2024 Duleep Trophy. The decision taken by the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee has boosted the chances of Ishan's return to the Indian team. The domestic red-ball tournament, to be held between September 5 and 24 at Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh and M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, is expected to be decisive in selecting the Indian Test squad for the upcoming two-match home series against Bangladesh. However, BCCI Secretary Jai Shah gave a clear message to Ishan before his return to domestic cricket.

Ishan has been absent from the Indian team since December 2023 after taking a break for mental health before the Test series in South Africa. Subsequently, he was dropped from the BCCI's central contract list in February, as he failed to comply with the board's order requiring all Indian players to participate in the domestic season when not busy with national duties.

Ishan, who returned to competitive cricket for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2024, was overlooked for the T20 World Cup and the three white-ball series that India played thereafter. However, after receiving advice from the BCCI, Ishan made himself available for the upcoming domestic season. The decision renewed the selectors' faith in him, leading to his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy, which could pave the way for his return to the Indian squad for the Bangladesh series.

Ahead of Ishan's much-anticipated comeback, BCCI secretary Jay Shah gave a clear message about Ishan's possible return to the Indian team, saying: “He has to follow the rules. He has to play domestic cricket.”

Ishan Kishan is currently competing in the Buchi Babu Invitational, where he is leading the Jharkhand Cricket Association. On Friday, on the second day of Madhya Pradesh's first match against Jharkhand, Ishan showcased his prowess with an 86-ball century, eventually scoring 114 runs. His explosive innings helped his team cross Madhya Pradesh's 225-run first innings mark. In his first appearance in red ball cricket after making his international debut for India in the West Indies tour in July 2023, Ishan hit back-to-back sixes. His century and a total of nine sixes came in just 39 balls.