It was not less than a delightful shock for the cricket fans after listening to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announcing a name in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The name happened to be none other than the flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, as backup wicketkeeper and top-order batter in the 15-men squad.
Notably, Ishan has been out of the Indian cricket team for more than the last two years as he made his last international appearance for India in the Guwahati T20I against Australia. Since then, things have been continuously going south for him as this last international appearance was followed by a lot of lows for him.
Hence, here’s a look at the entire timeline for Ishan Kishan in which he travelled a journey to the T20 World Cup spot from the getting dropped due to a disciplinary action two years ago.
Opting out followed by Disciplinary action: How it all started
After scoring two impactful half-centuries in the T20I series appearances against Australia, Ishan opted himself out of the series against South Africa in South Africa from Dec 2023 to Jan 2024. But following this first incident of this timeline was something which Ishan will try to forget for the rest of his international career.
The 27-year-old was reported partying in Dubai during the break that he requested from the board owing to his mental fatigue. Subsequently, it came to the notice of the BCCI and the board reacted quickly in taking disciplinary action against the southpaw.
It was the first setback for Ishan as he was also dropped from the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan mid January 2024 in the light of BCCI’s disciplinary action. Furthermore, a lot was awaiting him in the coming months following this action against him.
BCCI omitted Ishan Kishan from the central contract for the 2023-24 session. “Please note that Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations,” said BCCI in an official statement while releasing the names in the central contracts for that particular session.
Ishan Kishan in IPL 2024
Criterion
Data
Innings
14
Runs
320
Average
22.9
Strike Rate
148.8
Highest
69
50s
1
100s
0
BCCI took this action against Ishan Kishan as he didn’t feature in the domestic cricket as per BCCI directives. In the aftermath of this, there came a slump in Ishan’s performances and IPL 2024 was the first reflection to that. He could score just 320 runs in 14 innings, with a below-par average of 22.9, hitting just one half-century.
Ishan Kishan in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Criterion
Data
Innings
6
Runs
176
Average
29.33
Strike Rate
68.21
Highest
101
50s
0
100s
1
Furthermore, Ishan also failed in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 while representing Jharkhand as he could score just 176 runs in six innings of the four games, with an average of just 29.33. He endured a tough run except for a century in this edition.
The redemption arc begins: Vijay Hazare 2024 to SMAT 2025 glory
Ishan Kishan in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25
Criterion
Data
Innings
7
Runs
316
Average
45.14
Strike Rate
128.45
Highest
134
50s
0
100s
1
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 happened to be the first domestic tournament with which Ishan’s redemption arc began. He scored 316 runs in seven innings, with a decent average of 45.14, hitting a century, alongside ending up as the second leading run-scorer for Jharkhand in the tournament.
Ishan Kishan in IPL 2025
Criterion
Data
Innings
13
Runs
354
Average
35.4
Strike Rate
150.80
Highest
106
50s
1
100s
1
Later on, he was roped in by Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, in which he started the campaign with a sensational century SRH’s campaign opener. He scored 354 runs in 13 innings he batted in IPL 2025, with a century and a half-century and a commendable average of 35.4. Apart from that, he has also scored 248 runs in three innings with an amazing average of 82.00, hitting a century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
Speaking of recently-achieved title glory as captain of the Jharkhand in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, the 27-year-old led the side from the front with his exemplary performances throughout the tournament.
Ishan Kishan in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025
Criterion
Data
Innings
10
Runs
517
Average
57,44
Strike Rate
197.32
Highest
113*
50s
2
100s
2
He ended up as the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 517 runs in 10 innings, with an outstanding average of 57,44, hitting two half-centuries and two centuries, and registering an explosive strike rate of 197.32. With his ‘leading from front’ outings throughout the season, the left-hander led Jharkhand to win their maiden title in the history of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.
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Ishan Kishan (Source: AFP)
.jpg?type=mq "Most T20 runs in a year for India")
