Ishan Kishan finally returned to first-class cricket after more than a year and slammed a crucial century for India C on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 second round.

The 26-year-old Ishan Kishan was originally named for the India D ahead of the first round of the Duleep Trophy 2024/25, but he was ruled out due to a groin injury. Although he wasn’t named in any of the four squads for the second round, which was announced on September 10, he surprisingly earned a late inclusion for India C.

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It is the India B vs India C match at Anantpur, where Kishan’s century helped India C to end the opening day solidly. After India B chose to field first, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured in the first over of the morning after twisting his ankle. 

After another opener Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar had a 92-run partnership for the first wicket, Kishan came to the crease. It is Kishan’s first first-class match after July 2023, when he toured the West Indies to play his first two Tests.  

Ishan Kishan scored 111 runs

On his first-class cricket return, Kishan recorded his seventh first-class century. Kishan was strong with the bat as the left-handed batter scored 111 runs off 126 balls with 14 fours and three sixes. Kishan and Baba Indrajith put up a solid 189-run partnership for the third wicket. While Mukesh Kumar bowled Kishan to break the third-wicket partnership, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar later bowled Indrajith for 78 runs.

SEE ALSO: Chahal records best bowling figures in first-class career in England

India C scored 357/5

Sai Sudharsan scored 43 runs, and Patidar scored 40 runs. After Indrajith’s dismissal, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to the batting and remained not out on 46 runs. At the stumps of the opening day, India C scored 357/5. 

Among the India B bowlers, pacer Mukesh Kumar picked up three wickets (3/76).