Ishan Kishan Breaks Silence On Prolonged Team India Exile

The Jharkhand captain bludgeoned a 49-ball 101 to secure a historic 69-run victory over Haryana in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 final.

December 19, 2025: In a performance that served as a thunderous statement to the national selectors, Ishan Kishan led Jharkhand to their first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title on Thursday. The left-hander’s explosive century propelled Jharkhand to a mammoth 262/3, the highest-ever total in a T20 tournament final, effectively batting Haryana out of the contest at the MCA Stadium.

The “Kishan-age” in Pune

Entering the final with over 400 runs already in his tally for the season, Kishan saved his most destructive form for the summit clash. Despite losing opening partner Virat Singh in the first over, Kishan launched a relentless assault:

The Milestone: He reached his century in just 45 balls, finishing with 101 off 49 deliveries.
The Power: His innings was peppered with 10 towering sixes and 6 boundaries.
The Record: Kishan became the first captain to score a century in a SMAT final and equalled Abhishek Sharma’s record for the most centuries in the tournament’s history (5).
The Partnership: Alongside Kumar Kushagra (81 off 38), Kishan stitched a 177-run stand that dismantled the Haryana bowling attack.

“I Felt Quite Bad”: Breaking the Silence on Team India Exile

For the first time since being sidelined from the senior national side on “disciplinary grounds” by former coach Rahul Dravid and selector Ajit Agarkar in late 2023, Kishan spoke candidly about the mental toll of his exclusion.

“When I was not selected in the Indian team, I felt quite bad because I was doing well. But I told myself that if I am not selected with this sort of performance, then maybe I have to do more,” Kishan told Sportstar after the trophy presentation.

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter emphasized that he has moved past the phase of constant expectation. “I know you fancy your chances a lot of times… but I’m not in that zone anymore. I’m not expecting anything. My job is to just keep performing.”

A Message to Youngsters

Reflecting on his “happiest moment” as a captain, Kishan offered advice to other domestic players facing similar setbacks:

Avoid Frustration: “Frustration is something that will take you one step down.”
Focus on the Unit: He credited Jharkhand’s collective effort for helping him find his rhythm.
Trust the Process: “Now, I have more trust in myself, more belief in my batting.”

Jharkhand’s Historic Run

Jharkhand’s bowlers, led by Anukul Roy and Sushant Mishra, defended the target clinically, bundling Haryana out for 193. While Haryana’s Yashvardhan Dalal fought back with a 22-ball 53, the pressure of chasing 263 proved insurmountable.

This victory marks Jharkhand’s second major domestic title (after the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy) and cements Kishan’s status as a top contender for the upcoming T20 World Cup squad under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Disha Rojhe