Duleep Trophy 2024: Ishan Kishan smashes well-crafted 50 against India B on his surprise return

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, after missing out on the Duleep Trophy 2024 squads due to a groin injury he sustained while representing Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu Tournament, was added to the India C team. Sure enough, he made the most of the opportunity by smashing a well-crafted 50 against India B at the Rural Development Trust Stadium, Anantapur, in Andhra Pradesh.

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The BCCI recently announced updated squads for the second-round matches, which got underway on Thursday in Anantapur after players selected for India's squad for the Bangladesh Test in Chennai left for training camps. Ishan Kishan was not originally included in any of the four teams—India A, India B, India C, or India D. However, during the toss today, it was revealed that the wicketkeeper is part of India C's playing XI.

Interestingly, when the squads for the first-round fixtures were initially announced, Ishan was selected for India D, led by Shreyas Iyer. After being monitored by the BCCI medical team and deemed fit, he was added to the squad. Sanju Samson replaced Ishan in the India D lineup for their first-round match against India C, but it was Srikar Bharat who made the final XI.

As for the current clash, India C has scored 214 runs in 47 overs, losing just two wickets. Kishan, who is currently on 76 off 73 balls, with 12 fours and 1 six, is receiving support from Baba Indrajith (35 off 69).

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Earlier, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad retired hurt after scoring just 4 runs, while Sai Sudharsan scored 43 off 75, and Rajat Patidar added 40 off 67 before falling to Navdeep Saini.

In the other game, India A has scored 184 runs in 50 overs with 6 wickets down. Shams Mulani has contributed 44 off 72, while Tanush Kotian has added 27 off 39.

Squads:

India B Playing: Abhimanyu Easwaran (c), N Jagadeesan (wk), Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Rinku Singh, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Navdeep Saini, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar

India C Playing: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Anshul Kamboj, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan, Abishek Porel (wk), Manav Suthar, Mayank Markande, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Sandeep Warrier

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