NEW DELHI: There is a famous Asha Bhosle number from the 1960 Bollywood blockbuster Waqt that probably does not feature on Ishan Kishan’s playlist.
“You don’t go ahead, you don’t go back, whatever happens, it’s just a moment here.”
Yet those lines reflect the way the 27 year old from Patna rebuilt his career at a time when the Indian cricket system seemed ready to move on from him.
From fifth in line to forgotten
Rishabh Pant had returned to a T20 World Cup winning side. Dhruv Jurel was doing well. There was the ever-present Sanju Samson and the street smart Jitesh Sharma. Everyone had a case.
If someone slipped to number five in the pecking order, where did that leave Kishan. A flamboyant stroke maker who struggled with the monotony and uncertainty of living out of a suitcase without knowing when the next opportunity would arrive.
At a time when mental health is no longer brushed aside, Kishan chose to step away as he felt emotionally drained and needed to reset. What followed was a snub. His central contract was scrapped and he was labeled as someone not serious about domestic cricket.
“The comeback journey started the very next day when he people literally assumed that he is not serious about his cricket, he doesn’t want to play domestic cricket. All sorts of things were being written and he never reacted, just kept a smile and worked hard.
“To live in present is difficult but he did that as process became sacrosanct for him,” Anshumat Srivastava, his closest friend and almost family, recalled about the last two years.
“What you see today against Pakistan is a result of process that they started following two years ago. Runs are just a byproduct of that process,” said Anshumat, who has quietly watched the grind from close quarters.
Anshumat is also co-founder of the Ishan Kishan Cricket Academy in Patna along with the India batsman.
The cocoon that rebuilt him
Whether it was Anshumat, who played collegiate tennis in the United States, or his father Pranav Pandey, or his elder brother and doctor Raj Kishan, they formed a protective circle around the left hander. It was a space filled with trust, care and reassurance that helped him rebuild.
Kishan changed everything about his routine.
He began meditating to sharpen his focus. On his father’s insistence, he started reading the Bhagvad Gita.
Training became a disciplined affair. He visited his academy twice a day for skill work. He hired a personal chef to manage his diet and stayed away from hotel food. Sleep and recovery were tracked carefully.
Even though Kishan chose silence in public, the doubts about his commitment to Indian cricket would have hurt.
“During the time he took that break, he was tired and spent, he needed that break. His commitment to Indian cricket was questioned and he dealt with it in his own way.
“It was never like I have to make these many runs in Ranji, these many in SMAT or Hazare Trophy, even in NZ series and in domestic cricket, his average has been fabulous.”
Clarity of mind and bat
Kishan remains a fun loving and warm person who values his close circle deeply.
Anshumat traveled to Colombo not just to watch the Pakistan match but to stand beside his “brother”.
“He loves to crack a joke, share a good laugh and keep things light around the group. There is a perception about light-hearted people that they aren’t serious but that’s at the end of the day what it is. Perception.
“I will tell you, after scoring runs in sapping conditions, the first thing that he did after being back in the hotel is recovery as there is a match against the Netherlands on Wednesday,” his friend revealed.
During his intense practice sessions at the academy in Patna, the person who offered the most insight was his brother Raj.
“Raj also played junior cricket and is now a doctor. No one knows Ishan’s game inside out as Raj and he always has good advice for him.”
The clarity now visible in his shot selection is the result of endless simulation sessions on the center wicket at his academy.
“What you saw against New Zealand and Pakistan is clarity. Having done that hundreds of times at the nets, mentally prepared for certain number of runs in Powerplay or certain runs to get in x number of balls.”
As he prepared to congratulate Kishan, Anshumat summed up the shift in his friend’s mindset.
“Ishan has stopped attaching hopes with his hard work. Deep within his mind he is clear about that. When he led Jharkhand, I can vouch, not for once did this thought cross his mind that “Aise khelunga, aise kaptaani karoonga toh comeback hoga. To play for India, he had to be selfless.”
(With PTI Inputs)
Comments are closed.