Ishan Kishan made a triumphant return to First-Class cricket with a brilliant century, leading India C to a strong position on day one of their Duleep Trophy match against India B. Kishan's knock of 111 runs off 126 balls, which included 14 fours and 3 sixes, came at a crucial time after India C had lost Rajat Patidar (40) and B Sai Sudharsan (43) in quick succession, leaving the team at a slightly precarious 97 for 2.

This innings marked Kishan's return to red-ball cricket after more than a year, following a groin injury that had kept him out of the first round of the Duleep Trophy. Originally part of India D, Kishan was redrafted into the India C squad after Sanju Samson was called in as his replacement for India D.

Despite a minor scare when skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad left the field with an ankle niggle after facing just two balls, he later returned to bat, contributing a valuable 46 not out from 50 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes. At the end of the day's play, Gaikwad and Manav Suthar (8*) were at the crease, guiding India C to a solid 357 for 5.

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The left-hander had made a hundred in Jharkhand's opening round win over Madhya Pradesh in the recently concluded Buchi Babu Invitational tournament in Tamil Nadu.

That game in Coimbatore was his first red-ball match after the Test against the West Indies at Port of Spain in July 2023, and he carried on with his redemption act here as well.

He had Baba Indrajith (78, 136b, 9x4) for the company as the pair milked 189 runs for the third wicket stand to take India C to a commanding position.

Indrajith also had a slice of fortune as the Tamil Nadu batter had edged pacer Navdeep Saini to Sarfaraz Khan at slips just before lunch, and he walked off.

But Indrajith was called back to resume batting as Saini had overstepped during that delivery.

However, all this drama at the other end did not ruffle Kishan as he continued to dismantle India B bowlers.

Kishan played late and close to his body to nip the early movement and it was evidenced in the 10 boundaries he got across square and fine leg regions.

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He had to make that technical adjustment as spinners – R Sai Kishore and Rahul Chahar – bowled just 17 overs between them this day.

Occasionally, power overshadowed his general finesse on the day as well, as whenever the opportunity presented itself, the left-hander was not hesitant to flex his muscles.

He hammered Saini for two sixes in the fine leg region and once lifted Mukesh Kumar over mid-wicket for maximums.

Eventually, he was bowled by pacer Mukesh, the most successful India bowler with three wickets, but he has already placed India C in a position of strength.

After Kishan's departure, India C received a further move-on as Gaikwad came back and added some quick runs to push India B against the wall.

Brief score: India C: 357/5 in 79 overs (Ishan Kishan 111, Baba Indrajith 78, Ruturaj Gaikwad 46 batting; Mukesh Kumar 3/76) vs India B.