Ishan Kishan Hits 101 in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Reflects on Being Dropped by India

Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has broken his silence on his prolonged exclusion from the Indian national team, admitting he "felt quite bad" after being dropped despite strong performances. Speaking after leading Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title with a match-winning 101 off 49 balls in the final against Haryana, Kishan revealed he has moved past frustration and now focuses solely on consistent performance without expectations. The explosive knock made him the tournament's highest run-scorer, reigniting discussions about his international recall.

Kishan, who last played for India in 2023, emphasised the importance of channelling disappointment into hard work rather than letting frustration take over. "When I was not selected, I felt quite bad because I was doing well. But I told myself that if I'm not selected despite this, maybe I have to do more—make my team win and perform as a unit," he said. He advised youngsters to avoid letting setbacks derail them, stressing self-belief and dedication.

The 27-year-old described the domestic T20 triumph as the happiest moment of his career, particularly as it came under his captaincy—a first for him in any domestic tournament. "There are times when you doubt yourself, but when you win, it's all done. Now I have more trust in myself and belief in my batting," he added. The century in the final showcased his ability to turn matches single-handedly, a quality that has long marked him as a potential game-changer for India.

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With the BCCI selectors reportedly set to announce the squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup soon, Kishan's timing could not be better. He acknowledged past disappointment over omissions but insisted he is no longer in that mindset. "I'm not expecting anything. My job is to just keep performing," he said with a smile, signalling maturity amid a career phase marked by inconsistency and competition from established players like Rishabh Pant.

Kishan's domestic dominance has kept him in contention despite limited opportunities at the highest level. His aggressive left-handed batting and wicketkeeping skills remain valuable assets, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali success—coupled with his candid reflections—may prompt selectors to reconsider him for white-ball formats as India builds toward major tournaments.

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