Former Indian team player Ravichandran Ashwin has spoken about wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan’s recent struggles. Ashwin expressed confidence that better days lay ahead for the young cricketer, hoping that he would return to form and re-establish himself as a key contributor to the Indian cricket team.
Ishan’s cricket career has been marked by ups and downs. The southpaw made a name for himself with powerful, winning shots. However, recent challenges have cast doubt on his international future, with his last appearance for India coming in a T20I against Australia in November 2023.
Ishan Kishan excluded from all squads and lost his BCCI contract in 2024
Ishan Kishan captained the Indian U19 team to the World Cup final in 2016 and quickly announced himself in domestic cricket with a remarkable 273 for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy. His fearless batting style attracted national attention.
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Kishan made his international debut in 2021 in T20Is and ODIs. He etched his name in the record books as the youngest cricketer to reach a double century in ODIs, scoring 210 against Bangladesh in 2022.
The left-handed batter went on to feature in India’s Asia Cup triumph and the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, where India finished runners-up. However, things changed in late 2023 when he pulled out of the South Africa tour, citing mental fatigue.
The wicketkeeper-batsman 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 needs to pair it with discipline and perseverance to sustain long-term success.
I hope things change around Ishan Kishan – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said that Ishan Kishan withdrew from the South Africa Test squad due to mental fatigue. Ashwin drew a parallel with Shreyas Iyer’s successful comeback and hoped that Ishan would return to form and re-establish himself as a vital member of the Indian team.
“If someone’s time is not good, you can’t say much. What happened with Ishan was unfortunate. He was part of the Test team in South Africa but was not in the right mental space, so he said he wanted to walk away,” Ashwin said.
The Indian team respected that and allowed him a break. Then, during this same series, Rishabh Pant got injured and was hospitalized. It was just bad timing and bad circumstances for Ishan.”
“I sincerely hope things improve for him. Like Shreyas Iyer, who worked hard and made a comeback, Ishan should also score runs and come back stronger as an important member of the Indian team,” he added.
Ravichandran Ashwin Anna spoke about what is happening with Ishan Kishan’s situation and said that he is confident that the right time for Ishan will come soon.@ishankishan51 #IshanKishan pic.twitter.com/TzcAOdCeq9
-Ishan🤫🧘🧡 (@IshanWK32) October 9, 2025
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 a century and a half-century.
Ishan made history in December 2022 by hitting a 210 against Bangladesh in Chattogram, becoming the youngest and fastest player to ever score a double century in ODIs. The left-handed batter is third among India’s highest individual run-scorers in the 50-over format.
Rohit Sharma tops this 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 the record-breaking innings.
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