Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) stand-in captain Ishan Kishan opened up on taking the franchise leadership role and how manifestation played a role in his return to the Indian national team. SRH will begin their campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.

Kishan, who made a surprise return to the Indian T20I squad ahead of the T20 World Cup, credited his hard work and self-belief for his resurgence. The wicketkeeper-batter played a pivotal role in India’s World Cup triumph, scoring 317 runs at an average of 35.22 and a strike rate exceeding 193, including three half-centuries. His efforts earned him two Player of the Match awards in the tournament, further cementing his place in the national setup.

Speaking in an SRH video, Kishan said he had always aspired to be a leader and guide his team through challenging situations. His captaincy mantra focuses on simplicity and ensuring players maintain a positive mindset. “I am very overwhelmed and happy that I got this opportunity to lead this team. I am going to just keep it simple…make sure they are on the right track. And the rest…we will do it together,” he explained.

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Kishan emphasized the importance of staying calm, composed, and present, adding that these qualities allow players to perform consistently for their team. “Mostly this season, we will make sure we just stay in the present, keep it simple and do as much hard work as we can before the match starts. But in the match, we are just going to enjoy the game and take one match at a time,” he said.

Reflecting on his T20 World Cup journey, Kishan described it as “some of the best days of my life.” He highlighted India’s resilience after a 76-run loss to South Africa, which threatened their Super Eight campaign, and praised his teammates for stepping up in crucial matches, culminating in a 96-run win over New Zealand in the final.

Kishan also spoke on the power of manifestation, recounting his time outside the national setup due to a lack of a central contract. “There was always this feeling that I would make it to the team anyhow, because I knew that the amount of hard work I would do would be the most important thing,” he said. He credited his domestic performances, including leading Jharkhand to its maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy while scoring 517 runs, as foundational to his T20I success. Kishan concluded with a message of self-belief and perseverance for aspiring cricketers: keep working hard, and opportunities will follow.

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