'Not expecting anything; my job is to keep performing'

Starting with the end of 2023, when he took permission to return home midway from the India tour of South Africa citing mental fatigue, Ishan Kishan has spent two terrible, forgettable years — 2024 and 2025.

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

There was a genuine fear that the dashing keeper-batter could be lost to Indian cricket. His last Test match was in July 2023. last ODI in October 2023 and last T201 in Nov 2023.Fortunately for Indian cricket, this season Kishan has rediscovered his passion and got his priorities right. He is again ready to go through the grind of domestic cricket and do whatever the game demands of him.

It is never easy for an international player to come back to the domestic grind and give their best, but Ishan is highly motivated to do it. The proof of it was seen at the just concluded T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he inspired Jharkhand to their maiden title.

Smash hit in SMAT

A lot of top players get their adrenaline rush only when the stage is big enough. The stage doesn't matter to Kishan anymore. He topped the SMAT run chart with 517 runs playing mostly in front of empty stands.