'Bring Back Ishan Kishan': BCCI made last minute changes in the Duleep Trophy squad on fans' demand

India head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar faced increasing pressure from fans to give Ishan Kishan another chance, as the wicketkeeper-batter remained sidelined. The hashtag ‘Bring Back Ishan Kishan’ trended on X on Thursday morning, just hours before the start of the second round of the Duleep Trophy.

Ishan Kishan, who made a strong return to red-ball cricket by scoring a century for the Jharkhand Cricket Association in the Buchi Babu Invitational tournament, was expected to represent the India D team in the Duleep Trophy. A notable performance in the tournament could have strengthened his case for a return to the Indian side. Unfortunately, a groin injury sustained during the Buchi Babu tournament forced Kishan to withdraw from the first round of the Duleep Trophy.

The BCCI's media release stated, "Wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the first round of the Duleep Trophy due to a groin injury sustained during the ongoing All-India Buchi Babu Tournament. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring his condition and working towards ensuring a swift recovery."

Sanju Samson replaced Kishan in the India D squad. As the BCCI’s statement had only ruled Kishan out of the first round, there was hope that he might return for the second round. However, these hopes were dashed when Kishan's name was not included in the revised list of players announced by the BCCI after the squads for the India vs Bangladesh first Test were released.