PROFILE:
Prodigies aren't uncommon in Indian cricket. What sets Ishan Kishan's journey apart is its roots originating in Jharkhand. With MS Dhoni, the most notable name from the newly carved state, it's unsurprising that the young talent gravitated towards becoming a wicket-keeping batsman.
Kishan, a left-handed opener, first gained recognition in 2016 when he captained the India under-19s in the u-19 World Cup in Dhaka. Despite a modest performance with the bat (73 runs in six innings), he led India to the finals while Rishabh Pant dominated the scoring charts. Kishan's fortunes took a positive turn during the subsequent domestic Ranji season. He emerged as Jharkhand's top scorer with 799 runs, highlighted by a career-best 273 against Delhi, the highest by a Jharkhand batsman to date.
In the post-Dhoni era of Indian cricket, Kishan has joined the ranks of wicketkeeper-batsmen waiting for their chance.
IPL Journey
Ishan Kishan, a young wicketkeeper-batsman from Jharkhand known for his aggressive style of play, has greatly benefited from the IPL platform. He showcased his lower-order hitting prowess with the Gujarat Lions in 2017. In the 2018 IPL auctions, the Mumbai Indians secured his services for INR 6.2 crores after a competitive bidding process.
Although his form dipped during the middle of the 2018 season, glimpses of brilliance persisted, such as his whirlwind 21-ball 62 against the Kolkata Knight Riders, featuring four consecutive sixes off Kuldeep Yadav. While consistency eluded him, he concluded the season with an impressive strike rate of nearly 150.