Former Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opened up about wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan’s recent struggles. Ashwin expressed confidence that better days lie ahead for the young cricketer, hoping that he will regain form and re-establish himself as a key contributor to the Indian cricket team.
Ishan’s cricketing career has been marked by highs and lows. The southpaw made a name for himself with powerful and match-winning knocks. However, recent challenges have cast doubt over his international future, with his last appearance for India coming in a T20I against Australia in November 2023.
Ishan Kishan Dropped from All Squads and Lost BCCI Contract in 2024
Ishan Kishan captained India’s U19 team to the World Cup final in 2016 and soon announced himself in domestic cricket with a remarkable 273 for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. His fearless batting style grabbed national attention.
Kishan made his international debut in 2021 across T20Is and ODIs. He etched his name in the record books as the youngest cricketer to hit a double century in ODIs, scoring 210 against Bangladesh in 2022.
The left-handed batter later featured in India’s Asia Cup triumph and the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, where India finished as runners-up. However, things changed in late 2023 when he withdrew from the South Africa tour, citing mental fatigue.
The wicketkeeper-batter was subsequently dropped from all squads and lost his BCCI contract. He struggled to impress while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025. Kishan possesses raw talent but must pair it with discipline and perseverance to sustain long-term success.
Hope Things Turn Around Around Ishan Kishan – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said that Ishan Kishan opted out of the Test squad in South Africa due to mental fatigue. Ashwin drew a parallel with Shreyas Iyer’s successful comeback and hoped that Ishan would regain form and re-establish himself as a vital member of the Indian team.
“If someone’s time isn’t good, you can’t say much. What happened with Ishan was unfortunate. He was part of the Test squad in South Africa but wasn’t in the right mental space, so he said he wanted to step away,” Ashwin said.
The Indian team respected that and allowed him to take a break. Then, during that same series, Rishabh Pant got injured and was hospitalized. It was just bad timing and bad circumstances for Ishan.”
“I genuinely hope things turn around for him. Like Shreyas Iyer, who worked hard and made a comeback, Ishan too should score runs and return stronger as an important part of the Indian team,” he added.
Ishan Kishan Has Played For India in two Tests, 27 ODIs, and 32 T20Is
Ishan Kishan has represented India in two Tests, 27 ODIs, and 32 T20Is. He played 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the recent IPL season, scoring 354 runs at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 152.5, including one century and one half-century.
Ishan made history in December 2022 by smashing a blistering 210 against Bangladesh in Chattogram, becoming the youngest and quickest player ever to score a double century in ODIs. The left-handed batter is third among India’s highest individual scorers in the 50-over format.
Rohit Sharma leads that list with his iconic 264-run masterpiece against Sri Lanka in 2014 at Eden Gardens. The former Indian skipper hit 33 boundaries and nine sixes in that record-breaking innings.