Ishan Kishan Inks County Championship Deal with Nottinghamshire

NOTTINGHAM: Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan formalized a brief agreement with Nottinghamshire on Friday. He is set to participate in a pair of Division One County Championship matches this month.

Kishan’s arrival serves as a short-term solution for the county team, filling the void left by South Africa’s Kyle Verreynne. Verreynne is scheduled to fulfill his national duties ahead of the Proteas’ two-Test series against Zimbabwe.

The left-handed batsman is slated to be available for Nottinghamshire’s match against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge, commencing on June 22. This will be followed by an away game against Somerset in Taunton, starting June 29.

Expressing his enthusiasm for his inaugural county cricket experience, Kishan conveyed his eagerness to put his abilities to the test in English conditions and further refine his skillset.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to play county cricket in England, and this stint will provide an excellent platform to demonstrate my abilities. My priority is to maximize my potential as a cricketer, and I believe that playing in English conditions will significantly contribute to acquiring new skills.

“Trent Bridge is a renowned venue, widely recognized both in India and globally. I am genuinely thrilled about the chance to compete there,” Kishan commented.

Peter Moores, the head coach at Nottinghamshire, welcomed Kishan’s addition, underscoring the aggressive batsman’s strong desire to fully engage with red-ball cricket.

“We encourage players to express their unique qualities and style of play. Ishan’s eagerness to participate in county cricket is particularly appealing. He brings a well-established reputation as a powerful ball-striker in the middle order. His determination to enhance his red-ball game will undoubtedly motivate him to perform at his best,” Moores remarked.

Nottinghamshire currently holds the top position in the Division One standings, having secured four victories out of seven matches and accumulating a total of 115 points.

With this decision, Kishan joins the increasing number of Indian players participating in the County Championship this season.

Tilak Varma is currently playing for Hampshire under a short-term contract, Ruturaj Gaikwad is scheduled to join Yorkshire later this summer, and Yuzvendra Chahal is set to rejoin Northamptonshire in the coming weeks.