East Zone captain Ishan Kishan will complete the Duleep Trophy final before joining India’s T20 squad, following a Board of Control for Cricket in India directive prioritising domestic red-ball fixtures.
Kishan and South Zone captain Tilak Varma face a three-day turnaround between the five-day final in Chennai and the first T20 against Afghanistan in New Delhi. The red-ball fixture concludes on 10 September before the international series begins on 13 September.
The board granted both players a scheduling concession to finish the domestic showcase rather than reporting early for international duty.
Managing The Format Switch
Transitioning between contrasting formats requires immediate adaptability.
“So, it is better not to be in a situation where we have to make excuses, but at the same time be aware and be mindful of what is going to happen, and I will be playing T20 after this. So my job will be different there, but still I feel we are getting two days of practice before the Afghanistan first game, so it will be more than enough, I feel,” confirmed Kishan.
Varma noted his recent experience across multiple formats has prepared him for the sudden mindset shift.
Meanwhile, the Chennai fixture marks Mohammed Shami’s 100th first-class appearance. The fast bowler is using the domestic platform to push for a Test recall.
“I feel age is just a number. If he is working hard it doesn’t matter – he has been doing so well. Having him in our team, it gives us a bit of more confidence, when you have such bowlers in your team who can get you wickets and especially looking at Shami bhai this season, his intensity, his energy has been very different,” added Kishan.
