Tamil Nadu: Kishan Makes A Statement With First-Class Ton
With BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar watching from the hospitality box, Kishan batted with purpose and authority: Reports
CHENNAI: It was yet another strong statement from Ishan Kishan. On a comeback trail that has already seen him reclaim his T20 and ODI places, Kishan may now have thrown his hat into the ring for a return to Test squad. The East Zone skipper struck an unbeaten 111 on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, leading his side to a commanding 385 for four in 79 overs.
With BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar watching from the hospitality box, Kishan batted with purpose and authority, rarely allowing South Zone bowlers to settle. He was particularly severe on anything short, with the pull being his most productive stroke that fetched him 53 runs.
A drive straight down the ground past mid-off brought up his second Duleep century and his 10th in First Class. Kishan's career took a significant turn towards the end of 2023 when he asked to be released from the Test squad in South Africa, citing mental fatigue. He subsequently spent time away from international cricket before using domestic as the springboard for his return. After regaining his T20I and ODI spots earlier this year, his performance in this red-ball final could provide another compelling argument for a Test recall. Kishan had scored an unbeaten half-century in his last Test innings in 2023.
Coming in at No. 5 when East were 147 for three, Kishan, along with Kumar Kushagra (63 not out), featured in an unbroken 144-run stand for the fifth wicket. Kushagra provided the aggression at the other end, striking five sixes.
After winning the toss, East made South Zone pay for their defensive approach. The field was spread early, allowing East openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhimanyu Easwaran to settle quickly and put together their second century opening partnership. They reached the milestone in just 14.3 overs.
Sooryavanshi delighted the Sunday morning crowd with a flurry of eye-catching strokes — a square drive, a backfoot punch and a bold hoick over mid-off for six off Mohammed Siraj. South bowlers largely refrained from testing the teenager with the short ball and the pressure was limited. It eventually took a short delivery from left-arm pacer Chama Milind to break the stand. The 15-year-old miscued his pull to midwicket, falling for 44.
Easwaran looked assured and made a fluent 72 before an unfortunate mix-up with Shikhar Mohan resulted in him being run out just before lunch. East Zone went into the interval at 133 for two in 27 overs.
Mohan then joined Kishan in rebuilding the innings. The pair added 94 for the fourth wicket. Mohan made 85 before falling to a Milind short ball, but Kishan remained unmoved. By tea, East Zone were 246 for four in 54 overs. From there, Kishan and Kushagra ensured that South Zone had no late respite. The final session was the most productive as East made 139 runs in 25 overs without losing a wicket
South had their moments, but they never quite found a sustained plan to keep East at bay. Siraj, operating with a shortened run-up, lacked his usual threat, while the defensive field settings allowed the batters to keep the scoreboard moving.