Ishan Kishan’s focused return from 2023 absence culminated in a SMAT 2025 championship for Jharkhand and a T20 World Cup 2026 call-up, demonstrating that form and perseverance outweighed hype and redemption narratives.
October 2025 signified the actual reset. Kishan’s century in the Ranji Trophy versus Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore wasn’t focused on selection rumors or redemption stories. It was time at the batting spot. Having been excluded from India’s plans since November 2023, he opted for patience instead of force, believing that consistent performances—not declarations—would revive his halted career.
The end of 2023 transformed everything. Ishan Kishan withdrew from the South Africa tour due to mental exhaustion, missed domestic matches, and quickly became excluded from the national team. By 2024, his main contract had disappeared. It served as a clear reminder about the timelines in Indian cricket: if you vanish for too long, the system will progress in your absence.
From Exile to Eligibility: The Discipline Behind Ishan Kishan’s Comeback
By early 2024, Ishan Kishan opted for moderation instead of response. No interviews conducted. No public explanations. Amidst the swirling opinions, he discreetly went back to Jharkhand cricket, allowing time to sift through. Outside of the limelight, he relied on personal habits and teachings from the Bhagavad Gita to calm his thoughts—using spirituality as a foundation, not a proclamation.
IPL 2024 with Mumbai Indians and IPL 2025 with Sunrisers Hyderabad hinted at a comeback but didn’t finalize it. A hundred off 47 balls in early 2025 suggested thrills, yet consistency was elusive. Throughout both seasons, Kishan understood that IPL performance by itself wouldn’t lead to national opportunities. The calendar required something more profound—household authority.
By the middle of 2025, Kishan dedicated himself entirely to Jharkhand. No easy ways. No preferential appearances. Batting first, managing the wickets, leading the team—he welcomed the demands. The change was intentional: if Indian cricket had shut one door in 2024, domestic cricket in 2025 would serve as the means to open it
The 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy turned out to be Kishan’s strongest case. He accumulated 517 runs over 10 innings with a strike rate nearing 200. Two hundred, two fifty, unyielding pace. Jharkhand didn’t merely participate—they excelled. Kishan was no longer pursuing a comeback; he was establishing tournament benchmarks.
In the SMAT final in Pune, December 2025, Kishan’s 101 from 49 balls defeated Haryana. Jharkhand secured their inaugural championship. It was the pivotal evening of his comeback—evidence that performance in tough situations still resonated. Timing was crucial, and for a change, cricket’s schedule coincided flawlessly with his prime.
A few days after the final, the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 was announced. Kishan had entered. No sentimental phrases. No elaborate proclamations. His return after two years seemed routine, lacking excitement. The selectors were not recognizing a narrative—they were choosing figures, positions, and equilibrium. Kishan fulfilled all requirements.
2026 Vision: Clarity in Roles Reestablished In 2026, Kishan will come back not as a talent, but as an answer. A wicketkeeper-batsman who provides versatility in support of Sanju Samson. His choice surpassed others not due to potential, but because of compatibility. After years of ambiguity, Kishan ultimately returned to the system with a specific role, rather than an indefinite assurance.
From exile in November 2023 to victory in December 2025, Kishan’s comeback aligned with cricket’s relentless timing. Mistakes cost him years. Discipline reclaimed them. Throughout the journey, self-reflection—along with spiritual grounding—kept him grounded, yet it was the performances that truly conveyed his message. This was not revival. It was readjustment.