Nottinghamshire have signed India batting star Ishan Kishan for two County Championship games, played alongside the national side’s Test series in England.
The timing of Kishan’s stint is intriguing, coming alongside India’s Test series against England. He was named in the India A squad that toured England ahead of the series, and while India have begun well with the bat in the first Test at Headingley, the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have left India’s lineup in a state of flux. A successful stint in county cricket would leave Kishan well placed should India need to call upon reinforcements.
Ishan Kishan: 'I want to make sure I am the best cricketer I can be'
Kishan, 26 years old, is one of a legion of young Indian talent to make waves in international cricket and the Indian Premier League. While not yet able to command a first-choice berth thanks to India’s surfeit of other options, his record across formats is exceptional. He averages 78 from two Tests, both coming against West Indies in 2023, and 42 in ODIs, scoring at better than a run a ball. He extended his maiden India century in late 2022 against Bangladesh to 210 off 131, the fastest double-century in the history of international cricket. Kishan has also played 32 T20Is, averaging 27 and striking at 125, each a touch below his IPL numbers. In first-class cricket, Kishan averages 38, with eight centuries from 58 games.
Notts are top of the Division One table, with the hope being that Kishan can drive a title push. At the halfway stage of the County Championship season, the Trent Bridge-based side lead Surrey in second by 10 points. Kishan will be available for fixtures against Yorkshire at home and Somerset in Taunton, and will replace regular wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne while the South Africa gloveman plays in a Test series against Zimbabwe.
“I’m feeling very excited to get my first taste of playing county cricket in England, and it will be a great chance to showcase my skills,” said Kishan. “I want to make sure I am the best cricketer I can be, and playing in English conditions will really help me to learn new skills. Trent Bridge is such a famous ground that is well-known in India and around the world, and I am really excited that I will be playing there.”
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