Discarded India cricketer Ishan Kishan has staked a claim in India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a scintillating knock in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Kishan slammed a fiery hundred while opening the batting for his state Jharkhand.

It was a dominating knock from the wicketkeeper-batter as he showed his class. Being the captain of his side, he displayed great intent from the first ball which put Manipur bowlers under pressure straight away.

Chasing 254 runs to win, Ishan Kishan and Utkarsh Singh got off the blocks quickly and didn’t bother to stop. While Utkarsh Singh was steady earlier, Kishan continued to smash the bowlers all around the ground

It was carnage at Jaipur’s Dr. Soni Stadium as none of the bowlers proved good enough to stop Kishan. The left-handed batter found the gaps with ease and didn’t find it too difficult to clear the boundary ropes as well.

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Ishan Kishan slams 64-ball hundred

HUNDRED FOR CAPTAIN ISHAN KISHAN…!!!!

– Ishan smashed Hundred from just 64 balls including 14 fours & 3 sixes, What s knock, Captain on the charge in VHT ⚡ pic.twitter.com/WJgtJhLLlf

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 23, 2024

Ishan Kishan completed his century off just 64 balls. At the time when he reached his hundred, he had already struck 14 fours and 3 sixes. It was an innings full of power and precision as Kishan was all over Manipur’s bowlers.

He was finally dismissed for 134 runs off just 78 deliveries by the left-arm spinner Kishan Singha. He smashed 16 fours and 6 sixes during his knock. The opener batted at an exceptional strike rate of 171.79 and almost finished the target on his own by scoring more than 50% runs for his side.

Jharkhand chased down the target with ease

The other opener Utkarsh Singh was also dismissed by Kishan Singha. Utkarsh was dismissed for 68 off 64 balls. Jharkhand chased down the target in just 28.3 overs with Kumar Kushagra and Anukul Roy the two unbeaten players at the crease.

Earlier, Manipur scored 253-7 while batting first. Johnson Singh top-scored for his team with a fine 69 while the other batters too made vital contributions. Utkarsh Singh and Anukul Roy picked up two wickets apiece.

Will Ishan Kishan make it to India’s ICC Champions Trophy squad?

Ishan Kishan’s knock has come at a time when the selectors are keeping an eye on the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the selection of India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Kishan was earlier excluded from the BCCI’s contracts list on the grounds of indiscipline.

However, he can stake a claim back into the national team through some powerful performances here. India are looking for a third opener for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and Kishan can fulfill that criteria if he performs consistently in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Kishan has scored 161 runs in the two matches so far at an average of 80.50 and a strike rate of 150.46. He can be in contention for the upcoming Champions Trophy as a wicketkeeper-batter