India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been on the sidelines for the past 11 months since his last T20I appearance against Australia in Guwahati. While striving to make a return, the 26-year-old has been grinding in the domestic circuit, determined to impress selectors and earn back his place.
During this phase, Kishan has leaned on none other than Hardik Pandya, his IPL teammate, for career and confidence advice. Hardik, well-versed in the highs and lows of professional cricket, shared his insights with Kishan, advising him on handling pressure and maintaining self-belief despite public criticism.
Handling negativity, just like Hardik
In a conversation with Times of India, Kishan discussed how Hardik’s resilience against criticism inspired him. “Social media negativity is part of our world now,” he said, adding that people often troll when players don’t perform. “But that’s normal; you have to accept it, even enjoy it. The same people who troll will praise you once you perform. That happened with Hardik. He ignored the noise, performed well in the World Cup, and showed his talent. Negativity will always be there, but finding a neutral point helps you stay grounded.”
Hardik advised Kishan to stay away from social media’s negativity. Kishan shared, “Hardik suggested ignoring social media comments, which helped me stay focused. Even when others try to pull you down, it’s better not to get involved and to focus on your game.”
Rediscovering the hunger
Reflecting on a training stint with Hardik and Krunal Pandya in Baroda, Kishan credited Hardik with helping him reawaken his passion for the game. “Being in Baroda was a reality check for my hunger for cricket,” he said. The training wasn’t just about batting; it was about rediscovering the basics and the joy of the game. “We set routines, did yoga, meditated, and even practised mindfulness. It wasn’t only about improving physically but feeling grounded and connected.”
Kishan described his time in Baroda as transformative. “It felt like starting my cricketing life from scratch, with the same excitement I had as a child waiting for Sunday matches. This period taught me patience; I focused on training without touching the bat for a month. The process was humbling.”
A lesson in humility for Kishan
Despite challenges in the IPL, Kishan remained motivated, drawing on Hardik’s advice and his training experience. He accepted that, “Everything won’t always go your way. Life tests you, and that’s when you must stay practical and grounded.” Kishan reflected that the competition for a spot on Team India keeps him driven, saying, “There’s so much healthy competition now, and I enjoy it instead of seeing it as pressure. I’m happy for anyone making it to the team.”
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