When Ishan Kishan requested a break in 2023 and did not tour with the team to South Africa, many wondered if he would ever return to play for India. After all, India were not short of wicketkeeping options in Tests, and also had more than capable batters to take his place in the white-ball formats.
Moreover, there were also reports about his discipline, and there was speculation about whether he had a falling-out with the then head coach Rahul Dravid. Moreover, he also did not receive a BCCI central contract as he did not play domestic games and did not play enough international matches to qualify for it.
Plenty of wicketkeeping options
With Rishabh Pant back in Tests, KL Rahul taking over the mantle in ODIs, and Sanju Samson firmly cementing his place in T20Is, there were very few chances of him returning as a wicketkeeper. For any player, it may have been the end. It could have been a case of no light at the end of the tunnel. But Kishan was built different.
But Kishan changed the script, scored plenty of runs in the domestic circuit and the IPL and returned to the Indian side solely as a batter. His feat included leading Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and also scoring over 500 runs in the tournament.
Leading from the front in the final
His 270, followed by an 80 in the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai, is a testament to the fact that he does not score runs only in the shorter format but has it in him to play a long innings and deliver for his team.
When I was out of the [India] squad, I realised that we ultimately only have one job to do: simply to score runs. That is the only thing that helps you in your career,” Kishan said during the Duleep Trophy final.
“Any other thoughts will only manipulate your mindset, push you into overthinking, and pile on unnecessary pressure. I realised that those extraneous thoughts aren’t necessary. Our job is to step in and win matches for the team.
“That’s all you should care about. You evolve with time, and I feel it is much easier to play this way when you keep your mind clear,” he added.
There’s hope after all
We have seen many players return to the Indian side after a stellar domestic performance. The latest was Karun Nair, who returned to the Test side after an eight-year gap.
However, the question remains: how would the selectors look at Kishan’s return to form? Will they slot him in right away, or will they wait?
Since Kishan’s return to the Indian side, he has made the best of his chances. In T20Is, he has over 800 runs at a strike rate of 177, including 717 runs (SR 193.29) in the T20 World Cup. In ODIs, he has 174 runs at 43.5 and a strike rate of 143.8. Not to forget, he also it 602 runs in the IPL in 2026 to further boost his credentials.
With the southpaw doing well in the chances he has been provided since his return to limited-overs cricket, there are indications that he could very well embrace the longest format in a similar fashion.
India are fifth on the WTC points table and need as much help as they can if they want to qualify for the final. Gautam Gambhir has done well to integrate him into the squad after a stellar domestic show, but will he extend the same courtesy in Tests?
As far as Kishan is concerned, the only thing he can do is score runs, which he is currently doing aplomb.
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