Ishan Kishan is in excellent form with the bat. The left-handed batter has been scoring runs in both international and domestic cricket.
His recent performances have helped him return to India’s T20I team, and he has also shown that he can play long innings in red-ball cricket. Now, Kishan has scored a double century in the 2026 Duleep Trophy final while leading East Zone against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. His big innings has once again raised the question of whether he can challenge Rishabh Pant for a place in India’s Test team. Pant remains an important part of the Test side, but his recent batting form and some of his shot choices have faced criticism. Kishan, meanwhile, has shown that he can attack the bowlers but can also stay at the crease for a long time when needed.
Why is Ishan Kishan a threat to Rishabh Pant?
Rishabh Pant is currently an important part of India’s Test team. However, his recent batting performances have not been as strong as expected. Pant is known for his attacking style, but some of his dismissals have raised questions about his shot selection. This has given Kishan a chance to make a case for himself.
Kishan has been in good form across formats and has now added a big double century in the Duleep Trophy final.
How has Ishan Kishan performed in the Duleep Trophy final?
Kishan is leading East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone. After coming to the crease at No. 5, he built a big partnership with Kumar Kushagra. The two batters added 230 runs together, with Kushagra scoring a century.
Kishan then went on to complete his double century. His innings has put him among the top batters to score a double century in a Duleep Trophy final.
Can Kishan take Pant’s place in the Test team?
Kishan has already shown that he can play Test cricket for India. If he continues to score runs in red-ball cricket, the selectors could have a serious decision to make. Pant has the advantage of experience and remains a key player, but Kishan’s current form could increase the competition for the wicketkeeper-batter spot.
A few more strong performances could make Kishan a serious option for India’s Test team.
Has Ishan Kishan already played Test cricket for India?
Yes, Kishan has already played two Tests for India. He made his Test debut against the West Indies when Pant was recovering from injuries after his car accident. Kishan has played two Tests and scored 78 runs in three innings, including one half-century. This means he already has some experience of playing at the highest level in red-ball cricket.
How is Kishan similar to Pant?
Both Kishan and Pant are attacking left-handed wicketkeeper-batters. They can change the game quickly and put pressure on bowlers. However, Kishan has also shown that he can slow down his game and build a long innings when required. His ability to play both attacking and patient cricket could work in his favour when the selectors discuss India’s future Test wicketkeeper.
What does Kishan need to do next?
Kishan’s double century is a strong start, but one big innings will not be enough to replace an established player like Pant. He will need to continue scoring runs in domestic red-ball cricket and show consistency over a longer period.
If Kishan keeps performing at this level, the competition for India’s Test wicketkeeper-batter position could become much closer. For now, Pant remains an important part of the team, but Kishan has certainly given the selectors another strong option.