Ishan Kishan reconstructed his game and mentality via discipline, meditation, and domestic grind after losing his central contract and falling down the rankings. This culminated in a game-changing effort in the all-important game against archrivals Pakistan.
The 27-year-old Patna native saved his career at a time when the Indian cricket community was ready to abandon him. Everyone had something to contribute, including the ever-present Sanju Samson, the streetwise Jitesh Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, and Rishabh Pant, who had returned to the T20 World Cup winning squad.
Where did Kishan end up if he was as low as number five in the hierarchy? A flashy stroke-maker who truly couldn’t handle the pressure and monotony of living in a suitcase and never knowing when or where the next opportunity will present itself.
Kishan needed a respite because he was emotionally tired and needed to recharge in a time when mental health concerns are no longer stigmatized. All he received was a selectorial snub, meaning that he was judged not serious about playing domestic cricket and that his central contract was canceled.
With the help of his family and close friends, Ishan changed his routine. To improve his focus, he began to meditate and began reading the Bhagavad Gita at the behest of his father. In terms of training, he would go his academy twice daily to complete his skill development. He hired his personal chef to take care of his nutrition. The rest and sleeping habits were closely observed.
His academy’s hours of centre wicket simulation training have undoubtedly contributed to his improved stroke selection.
Kishan has been in the form of his life ever since his comeback to the Indian team on the back of some powerful domestic performances – and the Kiwis were at the receiving end as the pocket dynamo warmed up for the T20 World Cup with a swashbuckling 103 against New Zealand in the 5th T20I at Thiruvananthapuram.
Kishan scored 20 in the T20 World Cup opener against the USA, got in his groove with a 61 against Namibia, but reserved his best for the high-octane clash against Pakistan.
Unfazed by his opening partner Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal for a duck, Kishan launched an attack on the Pakistani spinners, reaching his 50 off 27 balls.
Kishan was so dominant in the strike that, after 8.4 overs, he had 77 runs out of India’s 88-2 when he left. He smashed 10 fours and 3 sixes in his staggering knock.
“I was just keeping it simple and watching the ball and playing with the field, maybe trying to make them run as much as they can. But yeah, I think it worked pretty well,” Kishan said after the match.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged Kishan’s knock saying, “Ishan thought outside the box. After we were 0-1, someone had to take responsibility and the way he took it was amazing.”
If India hope to make history by becoming the first team to defend its T20 World Cup title and also the first team to lift the title at home, then Kishan has to continue making stellar contributions with the bat.
