For Kumar Kushagra, who hadn’t practised for a month due to a back niggle, the ongoing All India Buchi Babu invitational tournament here has been beneficial going into the Duleep Trophy.
He scored a fifty (56) and a century (103) in the first two rounds.
“Last month, I had a bit of a back issue. For one month, I wasn’t practicing (batting and keeping) at all. Now, I’m totally fit. Going into the Duleep Trophy, it (Buchi Babu) is good for me and for all the Jharkhand players here. The facilities, grounds, and environment are good,” he said at the Guru Nanak College ground on Saturday.
The 20-year-old missed the Emerging Asia Cup last October and some Ranji matches after he’d sustained a back injury in the Duleep Trophy in September. “That Asia Cup was a very big setback for me. And it was very important as well, because it was just before the IPL auction. So, it could have helped me at that moment. The one who helps me (deal with such setbacks) is my dad. Even when I’m not with him, he gives inputs on the phone and sends some batting videos of players who are playing at the international level,” he said.
Talking about the work he’s put into his fitness for the new domestic season, Kushagra said: “Before this tournament, I was at the NCA for a few days and gave my yo-yo test.”
“But before that, when I was at home, I was just working with my dad. I was going early at 4:30 or 5 in the morning and working on my fitness, keeping, and batting. I think that’s really helping me at this moment.”
During his stint with the Gujarat Titans last IPL season, Kushagra has worked on his keeping with inputs from Jos Buttler, Matthew Wade (assistant coach), and Parthiv Patel (assistant coach). “I was not much comfortable keeping to fast bowlers when the ball was wobbling too much. So, they just helped me with how I can tackle that in windy conditions, especially in England and all,” he said.
Kushagra, having already played for India-A, is among the targeted pool of players who could go on to play for India in the future. Speaking about the confidence it gives for the upcoming domestic season, he said: “Whenever you are in the eyes of the selectors, it definitely helps. You know that if you perform in these kinds of matches in the Buchi Babu and Duleep Trophy, they will definitely help you and take you to the Indian team. But you have to be consistent at the same time.
“I think 21 to 24 is a good age to get a debut for the Indian team, and I’m just trying to give my best.”
Published on Aug 25, 2025
