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On Day 1 of the second round of the Duleep Trophy match between India C and India B, Ishan Kishan came up with a brilliant century and officially marked his return to first class cricket. Kishan’s century was paired up with Baba Indrajith’s composed 78 to mark dominance of India C over India B on Thursday, September 12 at the ACA ADCA Ground, Anantapur. The match started with India B skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran winning the toss and inviting the rivals to put up a score on the board first.
Ishan Kishan, who was originally drafted in India D but sidelined due to a groin injury was redrafted into India C after he missed the first round. However, Kishan put his fitness concerns to rest after he smashed 126-ball 111, with a combination of 14 boundaries and three maximums. His knock helped the side put on a total of 357 runs for five wickets on Day 1. Needless to say, Kishan’s knock proved to be crucial for his side who were in a tricky position after losing Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudharshan on 40 and 43, respectively.
Ishan Kishan builds 189 run-stand with Baba Indrajith
The Jharkhand-native built a formidable 189 run partnership for the third wicket alongside Baba Indrajith, who came up with a knock of 78 runs off 136 balls. Indrajith recorded his second half-century in the last three innings. Owing to the blistering form of batters, India C were able to post such a massive total in 79 overs. The knock marked Kishan’s seventh first-class century in the game which was officially his comeback to red-ball cricket for the first time since his Test debut in the Caribbean in July last year.
Kishan was a late inclusion to the squad on match eve, and last month he led his home side in two games of the pre-season Buchi Babu Invitational tournament in Tamil Nadu. India C’s innings was further bolstered by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who returned to the field after retiring hurt with an ankle niggle. Gaikwad played an unbeaten knock of 46 runs off 50 deliveries with a combination of seven boundaries and two sixes.
