December... The month when, two years ago, Ishan Kishan found himself out of the Indian team. Fast forward two years, and this December, he has not just knocked on the doors of Team India, but opened them wide.
Included as the wicketkeeper-batsman in the T20 World Cup squad of 15 announced on Saturday, Ishan Kishan is ready to make his mark.
A return to cricket is never straightforward, especially when you were once a 'first choice' and suddenly find yourself on the sidelines. This was the story of Ishan Kishan. In December 2023, he requested a break citing personal reasons. Events unfolded rapidly, and within two months, his central contract vanished. This was the same Ishan who had smashed the fastest double century in ODI cricket against Bangladesh a year prior, and who, in Rishabh Pant's absence, was India's preferred choice in white-ball cricket.
Yet, there was silence... no statements, no explanations. Just long, weary pitches in domestic cricket and a career filled with questions.
For two years, Ishan Kishan wandered in the wilderness of cricket, a place from where few return whole. Observers thought selectors had moved on, leaving Ishan behind. But in this silence, a player was rebuilding himself—not in technique, but in mindset.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ishan wasn't just scoring runs; he was answering his inner turmoil, anger, and questions through his bat. With a staggering strike rate of 197.32, most runs, leading Jharkhand to their maiden title, and making bold captaincy decisions—this was not just about winning a tournament; it was about rediscovering oneself.
Ishan's return stood out not merely for the runs he scored, but because he never gave up on himself. His old teammate and mentor, Ishank Jaggi, notes that Ishan is now more mature—not with age, but through injuries, rejection, and solitude. While the world questioned the lucrative IPL, Ishan chose his challenge: 'Everyone has written me off; now I will write my own story.'
Mental resilience was his greatest ally during this return. Instead of fleeing from failure, he faced it head-on. By hitting centuries in domestic cricket and showcasing consistency across formats, Ishan's story is that of a player who knows how to stand strong even when broken.
As captain, Ishan gave Jharkhand players not just strategies, but the freedom to play without fear. 'Whether you get out at 100 or 120, it doesn’t matter—what matters is dominating the bowlers.' When a captain thinks this way, the team follows suit.
For Ishan Kishan, this comeback is more than just a return; it's an answer. To the system, the selectors, and perhaps to himself.
