Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batsman, is expected to return to the Indian Test squad after reports surfaced that Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of the All India Men’s Senior Selection Committee, wants him to join the team in England following Rishabh Pant’s injury and subsequent ruling out of the remainder of the series.
Kishan last played for India in a Twenty20 International against Australia in November 2023, and he also appeared in two Tests against the West Indies earlier that year. However, with Dhruv Jurel scheduled to take over wicketkeeping duties in Manchester and replace Pant for the final Test at The Oval, Kishan will likely act as the backup wicketkeeper.
“The selection committee will add Ishan Kishan to the squad ahead of the fifth Test as Pant won’t be part of the final Test match, which will be played from July 31 to August 4 at The Oval,” a source in the report was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Excellent opportunity for Ishan Kishan to reclaim national prominence.
Kishan was removed from the BCCI’s Central Contract list in 2024 for failing to comply with the board’s directive to play domestic cricket. However, he made a comeback by representing Jharkhand in the 2024-25 domestic season, which resulted in him reclaiming his central contract in April 2025.
Kishan is now playing for Northamptonshire in Division One of the present County Championship season, and he has excelled with runs of 87 and 77 in recent innings on debut.
Kishan’s recent form
In the IPL 2025 season, Kishan represented Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), scoring 354 runs in 14 matches. He also notched up his maiden IPL century, reaching the milestone in just 45 balls against Rajasthan Royals. SRH secured his services for INR 11.25 crore during the mega-auction held last year.
The 27-year-old has mostly featured in ODIs and T20Is for India, scoring 78 runs, including a half-century in red-ball cricket. Notably, in December 2022, he made headlines by smashing the fastest-ever double century in ODI history, bringing up 200 off just 126 balls, 12 balls quicker than the previous record held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle. He also became the youngest player to achieve this remarkable feat.
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