Ishan Kishan made a memorable comeback. After smashing a record-breaking double ton in the 50-over format, he lost the BCCI Central contract in 2024, but then he returned to domestic cricket, worked hard by scoring tons of runs, and then returned to the national side for the T20I series against New Zealand, and is also a part of the T20 World Cup team. After returning to the team, he had scored 76, 28, and 103 runs, and it won't be surprising to see if he opens with Abhishek Sharma in the mega event.
Post staying in and out of the team for years, Ishan looks in good touch. But things were different for him a few years ago. Back in 2021, he was going through a lean patch while playing for the Mumbai Indians. In IPL 2020, he scored 516 runs but failed to repeat his heroics in the next season. By scoring 241 runs after playing in 10 matches, Ishan was heartbroken as Ian Bishop highlighted after the match against RCB, how Virat Kohli went towards him and consoled him.
The image of Ishan being helpless post his innings against RCB was exactly the opposite of when he was standing next to Kohli. Ishan revealed that Kohli inspired him at the right time and that he controlled his tears when Kohli consoled him.
“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 was quoted as saying on the 2 Sloggers Podcast.
And next year, Kohli was standing at non-striker’s end when Ishan scripted history by smashing a double ton off just 121 balls and broke Chris Gayle’s record. Ishan and Kohli stitched a partnership of 290 runs for the second wicket.