The return of Ishan Kishan for Team India will remain as one of the most inspiring stories in the history of cricket for ages. From getting dropped from the BCCI’s central contract to dealing with mental health, injuries and then proving himself again in the domestic cricket- the keeper-batter travelled a long way before making a comeback for the national side.
Ishan Kishan might not succeed in the long process if he did not get the hand of the legend Virat Kohli on his shoulder. An old video, from an IPL match, started to resurface on social media platforms again ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, where the Jharkhand-born is poised to represent India.
Ishan Kishan is in blazing form
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in a surprising move, named Ishan Kishan in the T20I World Cup squad. After a long time, he was named in the team, and that too for a high-profile tournament like the T20 World Cup. The top order batter again needed to prove himself.
The southpaw did his job precisely during the India vs New Zealand 5-match T20I series, scoring 8, 76, 28, and 103 respectively. He missed out on a match because of a niggle. After missing out the fourth match of the series, Ishan replied with a scintillating century.
It was a close contest between MI and RCB
The attacking batter was in fine form for the Mumbai Indians (MI) during the IPL 2020-21 season. He scored a total of 516 runs at an average of 57.33 after playing 14 matches. Ishan played a blistering 99-run knock against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in this season as well. Though, as a unit, MI felt short against Virat Kohli’s RCB. Ishan Kishan played his finest innings in the season, but was still left heartbroken. The match ended in a tie, but RCB won the one-over eliminator.
After the match, when the show was concluded, Ishan Kishan was standing alone, trying to hold back his tears, when Virat Kohli came and put his hand on his shoulder. A great gesture by the legend to support the emerging cricketer, who went out of skin to claim a crucial win.
During a recent conversation, Ishan recalled how Kohli’s words came at the right time, revealing he fought back tears as Kohli spoke to him. He said that he was very sad at that moment and was about to cry, before Virat Kohli provided him with support.
Virat Kohli showed support for Ishan
“I was very sad during another match. Remember a video had come, where I was on the verge of crying before Virat bhai consoled me. Bas kisi tarah se aansu roke huye thhe (I just somehow managed to hold back tears). He [Virat] must have seen me just lying there. Poor kid; he probably must be thinking too much,” Ishan said on the 2 Sloggers Podcast.
Ishu almost cried 😕 pic.twitter.com/82LUj7GVcg
— N (@neilectric) September 26, 2021
If things go according to the possibilities, Ishan Kishan will open innings for Team India during the T20 World Cup 2026. Sanju Samson got multiple chances to show his batting class, but failed to deliver against New Zealand.
Read More: Ishan Kishan FIRES SHOTS at Rohit Sharma for throwing him out of the team
