(PTI Photo)

The BCCI is following through on its promises. Earlier this year, it instructed Indian cricketers to prioritize domestic cricket whenever they are not engaged with national duties. With no international matches scheduled for over a month and the domestic season about to begin with the revamped Duleep Trophy next month, many leading Indian players are expected to participate in this prestigious red-ball tournament, representing various teams.

The Duleep Trophy will offer Indian cricketers, such as captain Rohit Sharma and batting icon Virat Kohli, a chance to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. 

According to a report by The Indian Express, the tournament will also be a critical opportunity for Ishan Kishan to revive his international career. The selection committee is encouraging the wicketkeeper-batter to participate in the Duleep Trophy if he aims to make a return to the Indian team.

Ishan was omitted from Indian squads across formats after reportedly requesting a break during the South Africa tour. He also missed the Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand despite BCCI’s warning against skipping domestic matches. 

As a result, the BCCI excluded him from its annual list of centrally contracted players. During this period, the 26-year-old trained in Baroda with Hardik Pandya. Ishan made his comeback in the DY Patil T20 tournament in February before playing for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024.

Ishan, who has appeared in two Tests, 27 ODIs, and 32 T20Is, discussed his sabbatical in an interview with The Indian Express.

“I was scoring runs and then I found myself on the bench,” he said. “These things do happen in a team sport. But I experienced travel fatigue. It meant there was something wrong, I was not feeling well or right and so I decided to take a break. However, sadly, barring my family and few close people no one understood that.”