Ishan Kishan was the architect of Sunrisers Hyderabad's stunning 229-run chase against Rajasthan Royals in a high-scoring IPL 2026 thriller on April 26. Ishan Kishan has been in scorching form in the ongoing season, and ever since he has made his India comeback, he has been a force to be reckoned with in recent past.
I told myself I can't cry or sulk: Ishan Kishan on India snub
Rather than dwelling on his nearly two-year hiatus from international cricket, wicketkeeper-batter took a constructive approach to his time away. Instead of feeling discouraged by the selection setback, he channeled his energy into refining his skills, with a specific focus on developing greater consistency in his batting performance.
This dedication ultimately paid off, leading to his recall to the national squad earlier this year for the T20I series against New Zealand and the subsequent T20 World Cup. His return to the Indian team was well-earned, following a dominant domestic season in which he successfully captained Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title while amassing over 500 runs.
"When I wasn't playing and was out of the team, I told myself I can't cry or sulk about it. It's the easiest thing to do for any sportsman. It might earn you the sympathy of a few people, you might even feel good about it, but it won't get you anywhere," Ishan told JioHotstar.
"The only thing that could have gotten me back into the reckoning was runs. So, I just wanted to improve my game and score as many runs as I could, even if that meant hitting more sixes than any other batter." He added that his time away from the national side made him even more committed to the game, with that hunger translating into a heavy weight of domestic runs. Only consistent run-scoring can bring you back into the team. If 300 runs in a season are not enough, score 400; if not that, score 500. At the end of the day, cricket is our daily bread. When you're out of the team, you understand its importance and start respecting every game. You become hungrier, and that was my focus: to become the best," he added.
ALSO READ: 'He's my new favourite player': Pat Cummins in awe of India's batting sensation
My only aim is not to repeat my mistakes: Ishan Kishan
Regarding his tactical approach at the crucial No. 3 position, Kishan attributes his success to the years he has spent refining his game in that specific role. He noted that this extensive experience has provided him with the confidence to expertly pace his innings and the discipline required to bat deep into the match, allowing him to serve as a reliable anchor for his side. He demonstrated exactly why he thrives in this position during IPL 2026 clash against RR. Stepping out at his usual slot, Kishan delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting, smashing a blistering 74 off just 31 balls. His clinical performance proved vital, as it helped Sunrisers Hyderabad comfortably chase down the imposing 228-run target set by the Rajasthan Royals.
"After having played for so many years as a No. 3 batter, if you are set, you look to score big and bat till the end. It makes the job easier for the other batters with you, as they don't feel the pressure. That is my only thinking, to keep things as simple as I can, be in a good headspace, and just take it one match at a time. If we play good cricket, the rest of the team will learn from it. In the end, it's a team sport. When you play good cricket, it rubs off on the others. I have also made a lot of mistakes, so my only aim is not to repeat them, which unfortunately, I did in the end in this game," Kishan concluded.