On June 22, 2025, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan announced his arrival in English County cricket with a scintillating 87 off just 98 balls for Nottinghamshire against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. The explosive left-hander, known for his aggressive stroke play in white-ball formats, showcased his red-ball credentials in a Division 1 County Championship match, narrowly missing out on a debut century by 13 runs. His knock, studded with 12 fours and a six, came at a critical juncture for Nottinghamshire, who were reeling at 253/5 after losing quick wickets. Kishan’s fearless innings not only steadied the ship but also propelled his team past 400, reinforcing their position at the top of the County Championship table.
This article explores Kishan’s remarkable debut, his journey back to form, and the implications of his performance for his international career, while also providing context on his role at Nottinghamshire and the match itself.
A Fiery Start in English Conditions
Kishan’s debut came under the spotlight as he replaced South African keeper-batter Kyle Verreynne, who was unavailable due to national duties in a two-Test series against Zimbabwe. Signed on a short-term deal for two County Championship fixtures—against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge and Somerset in Taunton—Kishan walked into a Nottinghamshire side leading the Division 1 table with four wins in seven matches. The Indian batter, who has been out of the national team since 2023, saw this as an opportunity to hone his red-ball skills in the challenging English conditions.
Coming in at No. 6 with Nottinghamshire at 225/4, Kishan faced a formidable Yorkshire bowling attack featuring New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke and England’s Dom Bess. Unfazed, he unleashed his trademark aggression, reaching his fifty in just 57 balls with back-to-back boundaries off O’Rourke. His innings included a towering six and a flurry of 12 fours, showcasing his ability to dominate even on a pitch that offered assistance to bowlers. Partnering with Liam Patterson-White, who also scored a fifty, Kishan helped Nottinghamshire recover from a precarious position to post a strong total, eventually crossing 450.
Kishan’s knock ended on 87 when he mistimed a pull shot off a half-tracker from Bess, caught at short mid-wicket. Despite falling short of a century, his 88.77 strike rate and fearless approach won hearts and sent a strong message to the Indian selectors. As one of the few Indian players in the 2025 County Championship—alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad (Yorkshire), Tilak Varma (Hampshire), and Yuzvendra Chahal (Northamptonshire)—Kishan’s performance stood out as a testament to his hunger for a Test comeback.
The Context of Kishan’s Comeback
Kishan’s County stint comes at a pivotal moment in his career. After losing his BCCI central contract in 2024 for skipping domestic tournaments, he regained it in 2025, placed in the C-grade category. His last international appearance was in 2023, and despite a solid IPL 2025 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad—where he scored 354 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate over 152—he has struggled to break back into India’s Test squad. With stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring, opportunities have opened up, but competition remains fierce with the likes of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul dominating the wicketkeeper-batter role.
Kishan’s first-class record is impressive, with 3,447 runs in 58 matches at an average of 37, including eight centuries and 17 fifties, alongside 118 catches and 11 stumpings as a keeper. His two Test appearances for India yielded 78 runs, including a fifty, but his limited red-ball exposure in recent years has kept him on the fringes. His decision to join Nottinghamshire reflects a strategic move to gain experience in English conditions, which he described as a chance to “become the best cricketer I can be”. The County Championship, known for its demanding pitches and high-quality bowling, is an ideal platform for Kishan to prove his mettle.
Match Context and Nottinghamshire’s Dominance
The Yorkshire vs. Nottinghamshire clash at Trent Bridge was a tale of contrasting fortunes. Nottinghamshire, captained by Haseeb Hameed, opted to bat first on a good pitch and posted a formidable total, thanks to contributions from Ben Slater (96) and Kishan’s 87. Yorkshire’s bowling, led by George Hill (2/53), struggled to contain Nottinghamshire’s aggressive batting, with Kishan’s knock proving particularly damaging. Yorkshire, languishing at ninth in the Division 1 table with just one win in seven matches, faced an uphill battle to compete against the table-toppers.
Kishan’s partnership with Patterson-White was a turning point, adding over 50 runs and shifting momentum firmly in Nottinghamshire’s favor. The presence of Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas, who has taken 16 wickets in five matches this season, further bolstered Nottinghamshire’s attack, making them a formidable unit.
Implications for Kishan’s International Career
Kishan’s explosive debut has reignited discussions about his potential return to the Indian Test team. His ability to counter-attack under pressure, especially against a quality bowling lineup, highlights his versatility across formats. While his white-ball credentials are well-established—933 runs in 27 ODIs at an average of 42.40 and 796 runs in 32 T20Is—his red-ball game has often been overshadowed. This knock, however, showcased his ability to adapt to the longer format while retaining his aggressive flair.
The timing of Kishan’s performance is crucial. India’s ongoing Test series against England, where Jasprit Bumrah’s heroics have been a focal point, underscores the need for a robust batting lineup. With vacancies in the Test squad, Kishan’s County stint could serve as a springboard for a comeback, especially if he maintains this form in his next match against Somerset.
Statistical Breakdown
To contextualize Kishan’s debut, let’s look at his performance in comparison to other Indian players in the 2025 County Championship and his career first-class stats.
Table 1: Indian Players in County Championship 2025
Player | Team | Matches Played | Runs Scored | Average | Best Score | Notable Performances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ishan Kishan | Nottinghamshire | 1 | 87 | 87.00 | 87 | 87 off 98 balls, 12 fours, 1 six |
Ruturaj Gaikwad | Yorkshire | 0 | – | – | – | Yet to debut |
Tilak Varma | Hampshire | 1 | – | – | – | Bowled 2 overs (2-0-6-0) |
Yuzvendra Chahal | Northamptonshire | 0 | – | – | – | Yet to play in 2025 season |
Table 2: Ishan Kishan’s First-Class Career Highlights
Metric | Value |
|---|---|
Matches Played | 58 |
Runs Scored | 3,447 |
Batting Average | 37.00 |
Centuries | 8 |
Fifties | 17 |
Highest Score | 273 |
Catches | 118 |
Stumpings | 11 |
Test Matches | 2 |
Test Runs | 78 |
Test Average | 26.00 |
Kishan’s Mindset and Future Prospects
Before his debut, Kishan emphasized the importance of adapting to English conditions, stating, “Every session here matters a lot. You have to focus on every ball and build trust with your batting partner”. His ability to translate this mindset into performance was evident in his knock, where he mixed caution with aggression, tackling bowlers like O’Rourke and Bess with confidence. His six off Bess, described as an “almighty straight six,” was a highlight, showcasing his ability to dominate spinners.
Nottinghamshire’s head coach, Peter Moores, praised Kishan’s desire to evolve, noting, “We want players to be themselves and to bring their own game”. This freedom allowed Kishan to play his natural game, which could be key to his development as a red-ball cricketer. With one more match in his contract, Kishan has another opportunity to make a case for himself, potentially with a century in Taunton.
Final Words
Ishan Kishan’s explosive 87 on his County Championship debut for Nottinghamshire is a bold statement of intent. At a time when he’s fighting to reclaim his spot in India’s Test squad, this knock showcases his potential to excel in the longest format. His ability to adapt to English conditions, dominate quality bowlers, and contribute under pressure has put him firmly back in the conversation. As he prepares for his next match against Somerset, all eyes will be on whether Kishan can build on this performance and inch closer to an international comeback. For now, his fiery debut has set Trent Bridge alight and given Indian cricket fans plenty to cheer about.
