Ishan Kishan returns to cricket ahead of IPL 2024
The Indian wicket-keeper-batter Ishan Kishan made his return to cricket in the DY Patil T20 tournament in Navi Mumbai, ahead of the IPL 2024 season with Mumbai Indians. This was the first competitive match for the 25-year-old cricketer in nearly three months after he took a personal break from the sport citing mental fatigue.
Ishan Kishan turned up for Reserve Bank of India in the DY Patil T20 tournament against Route Mobile Limited, scoring 19 runs off 12 balls with two fours and one six, apart from registering a stumping. But, despite his all-round efforts, Reserve Bank of India suffered a heavy defeat by 89 runs, not being able to chase down a 192/8 total set by Route Mobile Limited after getting bundled out for 103 within 17 overs.
Notably, the BCCI had issued a directive for the Indian players to actively play domestic red-ball cricket earlier this month, to enhance their readiness for taking part in the longest format of the game. With that, Ishan Kishan was slated to play for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy, but he opted out of representing his state team a couple of weeks ago.
Instead, the Patna-born cricketer started preparing for the IPL 2024 in Baroda with Hardik Pandya, his newest teammate and the captain of Mumbai Indians, and his brother Krunal Pandya, who plays for Lucknow Super Giants. Now, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya have made their return to cricket after their respective layoffs at the DY Patil T20 tournament, which features some of the top players from domestic cricket.
2