Ishan Kishan made a notable comeback to red-ball cricket during the 2024 Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament, representing Jharkhand against Madhya Pradesh. Playing at the India Cements Limited Cricket Ground, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter showcased his skills without any signs of inactivity. He took three impressive catches, indicating his sharp reflexes and alertness behind the stumps.
Kishan's last red-ball appearance was a match in July 2023 against the West Indies. However, he quickly found his rhythm in this recent game. Noteworthy moments included his catch of Chanchal Rathore, which provided Vivekanand Tiwary with his first wicket, and a crucial catch to dismiss Shubham S Kushwah, who had scored 84 runs. Despite an initial fumble, Kishan's quick thinking allowed him to seize the rebound and complete the catch. He further impressed with a full-stretch catch to remove Ramveer Gurjar, making significant contributions to Jharkhand's bowling efforts.
By the end of the day, Madhya Pradesh had managed to score 225 runs for 8 wickets in 89.5 overs, with several Jharkhand bowlers, including Shubham Singh and Saurabh Shekhar, taking two wickets each.
Kishan’s return to form is particularly important as he was excluded from the BCCI central contract earlier this year alongside Shreyas Iyer for missing much of the domestic season. This recent performance could be pivotal in his bid to reclaim a spot in India's red-ball setup, especially after his last international appearance in a T20I series against Australia in November 2023, along with participation in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians.