Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan, a name that resonates with the future of Indian cricket, has been making waves with his explosive batting and sharp wicket-keeping skills. Born in Patna, Bihar, and raised in Jharkhand, Kishan has often been compared to the legendary MS Dhoni, not just for his roots but for his fearless approach to the game. His journey from the streets of Jharkhand to the international arena is a testament to his hard work and dedication.

Kishan's career took a significant turn when he led the India Under-19 team to the finals of the 2016 World Cup. Although his batting did not shine in the tournament, he quickly made up for it by scoring 799 runs in the following Ranji Trophy season. His aggressive batting style caught the attention of IPL scouts, and he was picked up by Gujarat Lions in 2017. However, it was his stint with Mumbai that truly showcased his potential. In the 2020 IPL season, Kishan emerged as the top scorer for his team, proving his mettle in the high-pressure environment of the league.

In February 2021, Kishan made his T20I debut for India against England, scoring a blistering 56 off 32 balls and earning the Player of the Match award. His ODI debut followed soon after, and he made headlines with a stunning 210 off 131 balls against Bangladesh in December 2022.

Post the 2023 ODI World Cup, Ishan found himself out of the Indian side, with his relationship with the selectors reportedly not in the best shape. Around that time, Kishan had requested a break from international cricket, citing mental fatigue from constant travel, and later withdrew from the South Africa Test series for personal reasons.

In early 2024, Kishan was dropped from the BCCI’s central contracts list after reportedly skipping Ranji Trophy matches for Jharkhand and instead training for the IPL, a move that did not go down well with the selectors. However, a year later, he found himself back on the contracts list.

After spending a few seasons with Mumbai Indians, Kishan was released ahead of the mega auction in 2024, where he was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad. He announced his arrival in Hyderabad colours with a bang, smashing a sparkling century against Rajasthan in the first game of the season. However, that was followed by underwhelming returns, and he crossed the 50-run mark only once after that as Hyderabad finished sixth in the standings.

His resurgence, or perhaps the start of it, came later in the year during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Leading his state side Jharkhand, Ishan led from the front with 517 runs in 10 innings. He finished as the leading run-getter of the tournament as Jharkhand clinched their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali title. Those performances were too strong to be ignored, and the Indian selectors brought him back into the fold for the series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup that followed.

A couple of impactful contributions against the Kiwis meant that Kishan's place in the XI for the World Cup was locked in. Whether it was opening the innings or batting at number three, Ishan performed both roles with aplomb. He finished as India's second-highest run-scorer and the fourth overall in the tournament during the Men in Blue's successful title defence at home.