Guwahati buzzed with excitement as Ishan Kishan opened up about his explosive return to the Indian team. After smashing a blistering 76-run knock in the second T20I against New Zealand, the young opener emphasized enjoying the game and reverting to fundamentals as his core mantra.
Kishan, who had been out of the national side for nearly two years, is gearing up for the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. His stunning performance in Raipur, where he earned Player of the Match honors, propelled India to a commanding seven-wicket victory while chasing a mammoth 209.
Reflecting on that innings, Kishan shared, ‘I just wanted to stay calm, watch the ball closely, and play the right cricketing shots.’ With India reeling at 6 for 2 early on, his aggressive approach turned the tide, capitalizing on the powerplay to build momentum.
‘During a chase like 209, scoring big in the powerplay is crucial,’ he noted. ‘I focused on playing my natural shots without fearing dismissal, especially exploiting the middle of the pitch which suited left-handers against their bowling.’
His domestic heroics for Jharkhand, including leading them to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title last year, paved the way for this international recall. Kishan admitted the long wait tested him, but his mindset remained simple: relish every moment and prioritize essentials.
On emotions surrounding his comeback, the 27-year-old remained grounded. ‘After everything I’ve been through, I don’t get too high or too low. The World Cup is the focus—how we win it and what we need to improve.’ As India eyes series glory in Guwahati, Kishan’s renewed hunger signals a bright path ahead for the dynamic batsman.