Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Ishan Kishan for scoring a stunning double century in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final. He added that he has been performing consistently across formats lately and is behind only Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel in the wicketkeeper-batters’ competition in Tests as well. However, Kishan scored 270 runs off 334 balls in the summit clash against South Zone in Chennai. East Zone were bowled out for 708 in their first innings at Stumps on Day 2 (Monday, September 7) as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Since he returned, he has been scoring runs. He is playing red-ball cricket as well with as much heart and passion. He is playing with commitment and patience. The methods to score runs in this cricket are slightly different, but he is not taking it lightly. There was a season in Ishan Kishan’s life when it seemed like he had gone adrift, when he was saying that he didn’t want to play this or that, and that he didn’t like sitting out.”

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“However, now, when the wagon is back on track, he has understood that he shouldn’t move aside because the competition is extremely tough. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel are confirmed in Tests. Ishan Kishan is standing behind them. He is saying that he should also be picked in all three formats,” he further added.

However, Aakash Chopra also added that Ishan Kishan has virtually ensured that East Zone would win the Duleep Trophy final as well.

“Ishan Kishan has taken them to the cleaners. Scoring 270 runs in the Duleep Trophy final and the team going past 700, you would say the game is as good as over because this match will be decided on the first-innings lead only. South is in dire straits. What a player! How well he is batting. He had won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on his own might by scoring a hundred in the final, and he keeps the best for the last. He scored a hundred in the final there, and he has scored 270 in the final here,” Aakash Chopra concluded.