Ishan Kishan to miss first Duleep Trophy game

Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will reportedly be absent from the first Duleep Trophy 2024 match scheduled to begin on September 5, in Anantapur. The left-hand batter, originally slated to play for Team D under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, is now a doubtful starter for reasons that remain unclear.

According to a report from Cricbuzz, Kishan might be nursing an injury, though the exact nature and extent of the potential setback have not been disclosed.

The 26-year-old recently participated in the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai, representing his state team, Jharkhand. Participating in just two matches, Kishan smashed a brilliant century (114) in the first game, followed by a disappointing show in the second where he managed only one and five runs in two innings.

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Sanju Samson to replace injured Ishan Kishan: Reports

Last season, Ishan faced disciplinary action from national selectors for skipping several Ranji Trophy games, despite clear instructions from the BCCI to participate. The board had made it clear that Kishan's consideration for national selection was determined by his involvement in state-level competitions.

While the Patna-born's participation in the Buchi Babu tournament might have been a step towards meeting these requirements, it's worth noting that this red-ball competition is not recognized as a national event. 

Also read: Duleep Trophy: Shreyas Iyer gets grand reception from fans in Anantapur

Reports also indicate that Sanju Samson, who was not initially named in any of the four teams, might step in as Kishan's replacement. The possibility of Kishan joining the tournament in its later stages remains open, though this will likely depend on his fitness and the upcoming Indian team selection for the Bangladesh Test series.