Ishan Kishan’s Duleep Trophy effort makes his case for a Test comeback hard to ignore

In 2023, Ishan Kishan was the player of all formats for India. A series of unforeseen events eventually caused him to lose his place in the team and even lose the BCCI central contract. His comeback started in domestic cricket where he gave hard yards, scored hundreds in the Ranji Trophy and made 517 runs with two hundreds as Jharkhand won the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

BCCI contract and a place back in India’s white ball teams soon followed. However, Test cricket remained a different story. Kishan has barely been part of the conversation about India’s Test plans for nearly three years.

His 270 in the final of the Duleep Trophy he changed that now. It doesn’t guarantee a way back, but it does give voters a substantial first-class performance to think about. More importantly, Kishan showed in Chennai that he can man the wicket for long periods without losing the attacking game that has made him such a valuable player with the white ball.

The timing couldn’t have been better. After the Indian squad for the West Indies tour was announced, chief selector Ajit Agarkar asked Kishan to play more domestic cricket and put together a performance. Kishan responded with the biggest first-class innings of his career.

He batted for 522 minutes, faced 334 balls and hit 30 fours and seven sixes as East Zone posted 708 against South Zone. He went on to 111 not out on the second day when he reached his hundred off 122 balls on the opening night and continued for several more hours. Ishan Kishan battled wet conditions to put up a monumental 270 in Chennai (PTI Photo)

South zone tried pace, short bowling and spin. Kishan adapted to all this. He didn’t feel the need to push the game forward every time he faced a pitcher. He kept the ball when needed, waited for scoring opportunities and attacked when they came. This balance has not always been easy for him in red ball cricket.

Kishan has earlier admitted that regular T20 cricket has influenced his decision-making. The shortest format rewards constant intent, while Test cricket often requires patience and a willingness to let the game come to you. He found that balance in Chennai.

MESSAGE OF AGARKAR

Agarkar clarified Kishan’s immediate task. After the Indian squad for the West Indies tour was announced, the chief selector said: “He (Ishan) is a very good player as we know. But we would like him to play a bit more cricket and put in some performances.”

Kishan has now produced just that. He did so with Agarkar watching from the Chepauk stands, though the significance of the innings went beyond the chief selector’s presence.

270 was built on partnership. His 230-run stand with Kumar Kushagra, who scored 101, was central to East Zone’s huge total. Kishan was willing to let the partnership develop rather than trying to dominate every phase on his own.

“When you are playing the final and you are a multi-format player who has been playing for India for some time, the team members expect you to score. So it is very important for me to be in the middle and get as many runs as possible for your team,” said Kishan.

“The plan remained simple: keep adding 50-run partnerships as much as possible. A lot of things come into play when their bowlers are tired, when they open the field – so you keep batting these things without worrying about the result.”

It was a mature approach to a long innings and one that matters when assessing whether Kishan’s game can translate to Test cricket.

THE WORK OF RED-BALL

Kishan’s preparation for the Duleep Trophy suggests that the change was deliberate. He said that before joining the East Zone, he spent time at the BCCI Center of Excellence where he specifically worked on his red bat.

“I was here at the BCCI CoE before I came here. We practiced there, specifically with the red ball. When you play T20 regularly, you start playing a lot of batting – which happened in my first innings against North East Zone,” he said.

The finale showed what this work is meant to achieve. Kishan did not abandon his natural aggressiveness. Instead, it seemed to be more selective about when to use it. He scored freely when the bowlers presented him with opportunities, but was comfortable in defending or leaving the ball when there was little to gain.

This is a useful adjustment for a batsman whose natural game has always been built around attacking intent. It also explains why 270 means more than just another big home score.

ANOTHER KISHAN

There has also been a change in Kishan’s approach from the centre.

Losing his place in the Indian team and missing out on a central contract in 2023 forced him to rebuild his career through domestic cricket. Kishan believes the period helped him get rid of some of the pressures and distractions that affected his thinking.

“I didn’t actively try to change myself. It happened naturally. When I was out of the (India) squad, I realized that ultimately we have only one job: to simply score. That’s the only thing that helps you in your career,” he said.

“Any other thoughts will only manipulate your thinking, make you think and pile up unnecessary pressure. I realized that these extraneous thoughts are not necessary. Our job is to hit and win games for the team.”

His performances since then tell their own story.

Kishan scored hundreds in the Ranji Trophy during the 2025-26 season and made 517 runs, including two hundreds, in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as Jharkhand won the competition. He subsequently returned to the Indian T20I and ODI squads and regained his central BCCI contract.

He is now attempting to complete the same journey in red-ball cricket.

“The best thing I’m doing these days is not thinking about anything. My job as a batsman is just to go out there, watch the ball and react to it and not have any expectations,” Kishan said.

This approach was evident in Chennai. There didn’t seem to be a specific milestone being chased. He focused on the situation and allowed the innings to unfold.

TEST CHALLENGE

Numbers alone will not get Kishan back into India’s Test XI. Rishabh Pant remains the first-choice wicketkeeper when fit. Dhruv Jurel is another option while KL Rahul gives India flexibility as a batsman who can also keep wickets.

So Kishan’s return to the white-ball teams does not automatically open the door to Test cricket. But 270 is hard to ignore. He has shown that he can put together top-class marathon innings while retaining the attacking qualities that have served him so well in limited-overs cricket.

India’s next Test assignment is in New Zealand, less than three months away. Whether Kishan makes this team will depend on what happens in between.

However, for the first time in almost three years, he gave the selectors a reason to consider him again for the longest format.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

08 Sep 2026 05:59 IST