From being a contract-less cricketer to a trophy-lifting skipper, Ishan Kishan has come a long way. Since losing BCCI’s central contract in early 2024,
Kishan has been on an arduous journey to rediscover himself both as a person and a cricketer.
After spending one year in the wilderness, Kishan got a lifeline after his BCCI central contract was renewed for the 2024-25 season, though he is yet to receive a national recall. Having not played for India since November 2023, Kishan is still waiting for his chance, which might not be too far after his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy heroics.
Kishan led from the front to lead Jharkhand to its maiden SMAT title on a historic Thursday night. The young wicket-keeper batter enjoyed a succesful campaign both as a leader and batter, marshalling his troops expertly and finishing as the highest run-getter with 517 runs, including two centuries.
Ishan Kishan’s SMAT triumph: Leading Jharkhand to glory
His 48-ball 101 and Kumal Kushagra’s 38-ball 81 powered Jharkhand to the tournament record 262/3 in 20 overs and a 69-run win over Haryana in the final at the MCA Stadium, Pune.
A lot has changed over the last two years, but Kishan’s aggressive style of batting remains the same. Though, unlike before, that aggression has gone missing from his body language, personality and attitude.
His reaction upon returning home victorious was sans the flamboyance and arrogance that allegedly lost him his place in the team. “Achi thi, bahut khushi hui aur wapas tournament chalu hue toh usme bhi jeet ke ayenge (I really felt good hope we win more).”
The drastic change in Kishan’s personality is not a coincidence. His raw emotions have been tempered by the calming lessons of the Bhagavad Gita. Kishan’s father, Pranav Pandey, spoke to PTI after the team was received with dhols and mandars at the airport. The victorious squad was garlanded, felicitated at the JSCA stadium, and later visited Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence.
Ranchi: Jharkhand cricket team’s captain Ishan Kishan, centre, and teammates pose with the trophy during celebrations after the team won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, at JSCA International Stadium, in Ranchi, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (PTI Photo)
The Bhagavad Gita’s influence
Kishan’s father, Pranav, a businessman, said the cricketer followed Gita’s path on the advice of her mother, a doctor by profession.
“My mother told me to read the Gita. So, I suggested that he read the Gita,” Pandey said.
“She had told me if you are in a lot of tension, then you keep your question in your mind and open the Gita. Read the page that comes in front of you. You will get the answer to your question in that page, helping in dealing with the situation. I asked him (Kishan) to do the same,” said Pandey.
Pandey revealed that Kishan carries the Gita wherever he goes.
“The Gita is always with him, and he keeps it in his box. If he feels the need, he reads it. He carries a pocket Gita wherever he goes. Whenever something happens, he opens it and reads it.”
Pandey said the impact of his son’s spiritual foundation shows in his batting as well.
“We have seen it. For any person, the Bhagavad Gita gives you strength to support you anytime,” he said.
“His maturity level has increased. His batting has matured. He likes to take more responsibility. He is mentally more mature. He plays less rash shots now.”
Ishan Kishan 2.0: Is an India recall on the horizon?
Pandey believes that spirituality played a big role in Kishan’s revival.
“I believe the spirituality he has imbibed has played a big role in this turnaround. It has played a big role.”
JSCA president Ajay Nath Shah Deo announced a Rs 2 crore award for the victorious team and was confident that Kishan would soon return to the Indian team.
“We are champions, and the whole country has taken notice of them. I am sure Kishan is going to be in the (Indian) team,” Shah Deo said.
Who knows that Deo’s words come true on Saturday when the Indian team for the upcoming New Zealand T20Is and the T20 World Cup 2026 is announced.
Whether he earns a recall or not, the inclusion of Ishan Kishan 2.0 will be a big point of discussion during the selectors’ meeting.
(With PTI Inputs)
