Nottingham, June 23: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan made a rousing entry into the County Championship, launching his short-term stint with Nottinghamshire in emphatic style with a blistering half-century against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. The aggressive left-hander, known for his fearless approach, scored a commanding 87 off just 98 deliveries on Monday, marking his first innings in English county cricket with flair and confidence.
Facing a strong Yorkshire bowling attack that featured international-calibre players like England spinner Dom Bess and New Zealand seamer Will O’Rourke, Kishan stood tall. His innings was laced with 12 boundaries and a six, compiled at an impressive strike rate of 88.77. The 25-year-old looked in control throughout his stay at the crease, mixing elegant drives with counterattacking strokes that unsettled the opposition bowlers.
Kishan joined Nottinghamshire on a short-term contract to cover two County Championship fixtures, as confirmed by ESPNcricinfo. The deal makes him available for matches against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge and Somerset at Taunton. He steps in as a replacement for South African wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, who is currently representing his national team in a Test series against Zimbabwe.
Having played just two Tests for India, Kishan is looking to broaden his red-ball credentials. So far, he has scored 78 runs from three Test innings, including one half-century. While he’s yet to fully establish himself in India’s Test setup, his potential with the bat remains undisputed — particularly in white-ball formats where he’s made a more significant mark.In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Kishan has notched up 933 runs from 27 matches at a healthy average of 42.40 and a strike rate exceeding 102. His ODI highlights include a scintillating double century — his career-best score of 210 — and seven other fifties. His T20I record is equally noteworthy, with 796 runs from 32 matches, including six half-centuries and a personal best of 89, all at a brisk strike rate of 124.37.
Kishan’s return to the County circuit follows a resurgence in his professional fortunes. After being omitted from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s central contract list last year, he earned his way back into the C-grade category for the current cycle. His recent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) also played a part in his selection by Nottinghamshire. (AP)
