Ishan Kishan is a doubtful starter for the Duleep Trophy 2024 match beginning in Anantapur on Thursday (September 5). The wicketkeeper-batter is part of the Shreyas Iyer-led Team D. The reason for Kishan’s likely withdrawal is unclear. Still, we have reliably learned the left-hander may be carrying an injury.

Sanju Samson, who was not named in any of the four teams announced by the selectors earlier, is likely to be included in Kishan’s place.

Kishan’s participation in the later stages of the four-day first-class tournament has yet to be discovered at the moment. Besides, it will also be subject to the Indian team selection for the two-Test series against Bangladesh. Still, there is a possibility he could feature in the later stages of the six-match competition. Each of the four teams will play three matches, and Team D’s second game is against Team A on September 12 in Anantapur.

Kishan represented his state team, Jharkhand, in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai but his participation was limited to two games as his side could not proceed beyond the league stage. He played two matches in the TNCA-organised tournament – versus Madhya Pradesh and Hyderabad. Jharkhand won the first and lost the second game before being knocked out.

Krishna to miss Team A’s first game

Prasidh Krishna’s return from quad injury has been further delayed with skipper Shubman Gill confirming that the pacer will be missing at least the opening fixture of the team, scheduled in Bengaluru from September 5. The 28-year-old had missed the IPL 2024 due to surgery in February and was expected to return at the recently concluded KPL. He had been picked up by the eventual winners Mysore Warriors at the 2024 auction in late July.

Ratra’s first assignment in Anantapur

Ajay Ratra, who was appointed as a selector by the BCCI on Tuesday, will have to start work with immediate effect. He has been assigned the Duleep Trophy matches in Anantapur, where a couple of other selectors will also be there. Additionally, two selectors will be in Bengaluru for the Team A vs Team B game before the entire five-member selection committee convenes in Anantapur for the remainder of the tournament.