Out-of-favour India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is determined to live in the moment and make every opportunity count, no matter the stage he’s playing on. Known for his fearless strokeplay and attacking instincts, Kishan has shifted his focus to domestic cricket, leading Jharkhand in the ongoing 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season. His comeback statement was emphatic — a gritty century against Tamil Nadu on a challenging green-top in Coimbatore, proving once again why he remains one of India’s most talented batters.
The 27-year-old southpaw, who has been out of the national team setup for a while, anchored Jharkhand’s innings with a mature, unbeaten 125 off 183 balls. His effort helped the side recover from early trouble to close the opening day at 307/6, thanks to a vital 150-run partnership with Sahil Raj for the seventh wicket. It was a knock that balanced patience with aggression — something Kishan admitted has come with experience and self-awareness.
“At this stage, I need to be very smart. You need to understand the importance of the Ranji Trophy and matches like these when you face strong teams,” Ishan Kishan said after his innings.
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Coming in at 79/3 just after lunch, Ishan Kishan resisted his natural attacking instincts to rebuild the innings. Apart from two well-timed sixes, he relied on strike rotation and precise shot selection, proving that his game has matured.
Ishan Kishan scored 173 runs against Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy. Tamil Nadu struggling at 18/5 in 1st innings #SRH #ranjitrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/PMZ0Qal371
— Gaurav Gulati (@gulatiLFC) October 16, 2025
“You make many mistakes early in your career and later realise the true meaning of experience,” he explained. “I wanted to attack the left-arm spinner, but looking at the scoreboard, with six wickets down, I knew it wasn’t the right time. That’s what experience teaches you — sometimes singles are more valuable than sixes.”
Kishan, who was in contention for a Test call-up against England earlier this year after Rishabh Pant’s injury, had shown promise with scores of 77 and 87 for Nottinghamshire. However, an unfortunate e-bike accident in the UK derailed his momentum, forcing selectors to look elsewhere.
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Now, with renewed focus, Ishan Kishan isn’t chasing numbers or national recall. “Whenever I set a target, I end up doing badly,” he admitted. “So this season, I’m not keeping any targets. I’ll just keep batting — if you stay at the crease, runs will come. That’s my only goal.”
This mature, measured approach from Ishan Kishan — once known for his flamboyance — could mark the beginning of a new chapter in his cricketing journey, one built on patience, purpose, and quiet determination.
