Ishan Kishan Channels MS Dhoni's Spirit in Spectacular Comeback
In a remarkable turn of events that echoes cinematic inspiration, Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan has scripted a dramatic return to the national team, drawing parallels with the legendary MS Dhoni's journey. The aggressive left-handed batter, who spent two years away from international cricket, made his presence felt in spectacular fashion during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Haryana on December 18, 2025.
The Dhoni Connection: From Silver Screen to Cricket Field
The late Sushant Singh Rajput's portrayal of MS Dhoni in the biopic MS Dhoni: The Untold Story featured a memorable scene where Dhoni's friends suggest he hit sixes towards the selectors. Ishan Kishan, an ardent admirer of both the movie and the cricketer, recreated this moment during the domestic final. With selectors RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha watching from the stands, Kishan unleashed a breathtaking display of power-hitting, smashing 10 sixes in his innings.
Although none of those maximums landed exactly where the selectors were seated, the thunderous strikes created enough noise to announce his return to contention. This performance proved instrumental in earning him a recall to the Indian T20I setup, marking the beginning of an inspiring comeback story.
Striking Similarities: Parallel Journeys from Jharkhand
The connections between Ishan Kishan and MS Dhoni run deeper than just cinematic inspiration. Both cricketers learned the fundamentals of the game at the MECON SAIL Stadium in Ranchi, developing their skills on the dusty fields of Bihar and Jharkhand through extensive tennis ball cricket. Their distinctive bottom-hand playing style bears testimony to these shared roots.
Another fascinating parallel emerges in their family backgrounds. Just as the movie depicted MS Dhoni's father Paan Singh Dhoni expressing concern about his son's long hair, Ishan Kishan's father Pranav Pandey recalls a similar moment from his son's under-16 days. "After playing under 16, he was back in Patna playing a local match. I saw him walking with his collar up, wearing his cap backwards," Pandey shared with TimesofIndia.com. "After the match, while driving back home, I told him, 'Khud ko Azharuddin samajh rahe ho' (Do you think you are Mohammed Azharuddin already?)."
The Redemption Arc: Overcoming Adversity
Ishan Kishan's journey back to the Indian team has been one of resilience and determination. The batter, who had been isolated by the previous management led by Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul Dravid, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, found himself questioning his role and dealing with mental fatigue. His only mistake, as it turned out, was seeking clarity about his position in the team and requesting a break for mental well-being.
An unfortunate injury to Tilak Varma opened the door for Kishan's return, and the left-hander grabbed the opportunity with both hands. In his comeback match in Nagpur, though he lasted only five balls, he displayed positive intent by hitting two boundaries immediately. The first ball he faced upon returning to international cricket was lofted straight down the ground off Kyle Jamieson, while on the third delivery, he executed a perfect short-arm jab over mid-wicket against Jacob Duffy.
The Raipur Masterclass: A Statement Innings
Kishan's defining moment came during the second T20I against New Zealand at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. With India reeling at 6 for 2 while chasing 209, the southpaw played a breathtaking innings of 76 runs off just 32 balls. He announced his arrival with authority, taking 24 runs from a single over that included three boundaries and a six.
The batter brought up his half-century in just 21 balls during the powerplay, showcasing exceptional timing and power against quality bowlers like Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner. His fearless approach against established international bowlers demonstrated both his technical prowess and mental fortitude.
Team Support and Personal Reflection
Perhaps the most heartwarming aspect of Kishan's comeback was the overwhelming support from his teammates. The dugout celebrations spoke volumes about his popularity within the squad. From the standing ovation when he reached his fifty to captain Suryakumar Yadav's embrace in the middle, and teammates tapping his helmet as he crossed the boundary rope – every gesture reinforced his standing as a beloved team member.
Veteran spinner R Ashwin had previously highlighted Kishan's team-first attitude, stating: "Ishan Kishan is an extraordinary team man. He will mix positive vibes with the water he is giving to the players in the XI." This characterization was vividly demonstrated through his interactions with teammates like Rinku Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, and Abhishek Sharma after his match-winning performance.
Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned and Future Prospects
Reflecting on his journey back to international cricket, Kishan revealed his internal dialogue: "I asked myself one question about my comeback. Can I do it again or not?" This same question had been posed by his father, who now advises his son to remain grounded despite the success. "Don't let this knock get into your head. Stay humble. Let your bat do the talking," Pranav Pandey counseled after the match.
The cricketer emphasized the importance of domestic cricket in his resurgence: "I was just looking to score runs. Sometimes, it is important to do it for yourself. So you can answer your questions, how you are batting. If you are capable of playing for India, and that's why it was very much important for me to score runs in domestic cricket."
With Jharkhand winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Kishan contributing significantly, the batter from Patna has demonstrated remarkable resilience when his back was against the wall. Having earned his second chance through consistent performances and mental strength, Ishan Kishan's story serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance in professional sports.
