The new domestic cricket season in India has kicked off with the prestigious Ranji Trophy, featuring 38 teams competing in the first round. This tournament holds significant importance for several players seeking to re-establish their places in the Indian national team, including wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, and veteran Cheteshwar Pujara. Unfortunately for these players, their initial outings in this crucial tournament have been less than impressive, raising concerns about their comeback prospects right from the start.
Disappointing Performances in the Initial Matches
After an 11-month hiatus from Team India, Ishan Kishan returned to domestic cricket under the guidance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, his performance has been underwhelming. Throughout 4 innings in the Duleep Trophy, he struggled to find form, managing to score a century just once, along with a meager contribution of 38 runs in the Irani Cup. In the first innings of the Ranji Trophy against Assam, Kishan’s return to prominence was cut short as he was dismissed for just 21 runs.
Similarly, Prithvi Shaw, who has been absent from the national squad for nearly 3 years, is desperately aiming for a comeback. Despite making his Test debut six years ago, he has only played 5 Test matches due to disciplinary issues that led to his exclusion. Shaw’s participation in England’s county cricket didn’t yield the expected results, although a notable inning of 76 runs in the Irani Cup gave fans hope. His performance in the Ranji Trophy, opening for Mumbai against Baroda, turned out to be a disappointment as he was out for just 7 runs, undone by a delivery from Krunal Pandya.
The Return of Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara, a crucial figure in India’s batting lineup during the historic 2020-21 Australia tour, is also struggling to regain his form. After being out of the national side for nearly a year, Pujara could only manage 16 runs in his first innings at the Ranji Trophy while playing for Saurashtra. He was bowled by Tamil Nadu’s spinner Sai Kishore. Pujara’s remarkable contributions in Australia, where he faced 928 balls and scored 271 runs during the Border-Gavaskar series, were pivotal for India’s success. Nonetheless, since the World Test Championship final in 2023, he has been unable to be selected for any Test matches.
Looking Ahead: Chances for Redemption
The disappointing starts for Kishan, Shaw, and Pujara cast a shadow over their aspirations of returning to the national team. The Ranji Trophy is seen as a significant platform for these players to prove themselves and secure a spot in the Indian squad. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen if they can turn their fortunes around and deliver performances that will catch the selectors’ eyes. Each player will need to not only recover their batting form but also demonstrate consistency if they hope to make a successful comeback and contribute to Team India’s future successes.
