Player Overview
- Full Name: Ishan Kishan
- Date of Birth: July 18, 1998
- Age: 27 Years
- Birth Place: Patna, Bihar, India
- Role: Wicketkeeper-Batsman
- Batting Style: Left-Handed
- Nationality: Indian
Ishan Kishan is one of India’s most explosive wicketkeeper-batsmen in modern white-ball cricket. Known for his fearless stroke play, aggressive intent in the powerplay, and ability to change the momentum of a match within a few overs, Kishan has carved out a unique space in Indian cricket.
Early Life and Domestic Rise
Born in Patna, Bihar, Ishan Kishan’s cricketing roots are closely linked to Jharkhand — a state that previously produced legendary captain MS Dhoni. Inspired by Dhoni’s success, Kishan developed his skills as a wicketkeeper-batsman from an early age.
His first major breakthrough came in the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he captained India. Although he scored only 73 runs in six innings during the tournament, his leadership guided India to the final. Soon after, he turned his attention to domestic cricket and delivered a remarkable Ranji Trophy season.
In the following Ranji season, Kishan scored 799 runs, emerging as Jharkhand’s highest run-scorer. His career-best 273 against Delhi remains the highest individual score by a Jharkhand batter in Ranji Trophy history.
International Career Statistics
🏏 Test Career
- Matches: 2
- Innings: 3
- Runs: 78
- Highest Score: 52
- Average: 78.00
- Strike Rate: 85.72
- 50s: 1
Kishan made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2023. Though he has had limited opportunities in red-ball cricket, he showcased composure with a half-century in his debut series.
🏏 ODI Career
- Matches: 27
- Runs: 933
- Highest Score: 210
- Average: 42.41
- Strike Rate: 102.20
- 100s: 1
- 200s: 1
One of the biggest highlights of Ishan Kishan’s career came in December 2022 when he smashed a double century (210) against Bangladesh. This knock made him one of the youngest players to score an ODI double hundred and one of the fastest to reach the milestone.
His attacking mindset at the top of the order gives India flexibility in white-ball formats.
🏏 T20I Career
- Matches: 39
- Runs: 1169
- Highest Score: 103
- Average: 30.76
- Strike Rate: 143.79
- 50s: 9
- 100s: 1
- Current ICC T20I Ranking: 25
- Best ICC Ranking: 6
In T20 Internationals, Kishan’s aggressive batting style stands out. His century against New Zealand (103 off 43 balls) highlighted his ability to dominate world-class bowling attacks.
Recent Form (2026)
| Score | Opponent | Format | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 (24) | Namibia | T20I | 12 Feb 2026 |
| 20 (16) | USA | T20I | 07 Feb 2026 |
| 103 (43) | New Zealand | T20I | 31 Jan 2026 |
| 28 (13) | New Zealand | T20I | 25 Jan 2026 |
| 76 (32) | New Zealand | T20I | 23 Jan 2026 |
These performances underline his current strong form heading into major ICC tournaments.
IPL Career – Franchise Cricket Journey
Mumbai Indians played a significant role in shaping Kishan’s career. His breakout IPL season came in 2020–21 (UAE edition), where he scored 516 runs, playing a key role in Mumbai Indians’ title-winning campaign.
IPL Career Stats
- Matches: 119
- Runs: 2998
- Highest Score: 106
- Average: 29.11
- Strike Rate: 137.65
- 50s: 17
- 100s: 1
Ahead of the 2025 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad signed him for ₹11.25 crore, reflecting his continued demand in the franchise circuit.
Wicketkeeping Skills
Beyond batting, Kishan is a sharp and agile wicketkeeper. His quick reflexes behind the stumps, ability to stand up to spinners, and energetic on-field presence add depth to any team he represents.
Competition and Career Challenges
India has always had strong competition for the wicketkeeper-batsman role. Kishan has had to compete with top talents such as:
- Rishabh Pant
- Sanju Samson
- Dhruv Jurel
In 2024, Kishan faced a challenging phase when he was excluded from the BCCI annual contract list. Citing mental fatigue, he opted out of domestic matches despite board advice, which temporarily affected his standing in the national setup. However, his performances in franchise cricket have kept him in contention.
Career Highlights
- Captain of India U-19 team (2016 World Cup Finalists)
- Ranji Trophy 273 vs Delhi (Jharkhand record)
- ODI Double Century (210 vs Bangladesh)
- T20I Century (103 vs New Zealand)
- IPL Champion with Mumbai Indians
Career Timeline
| Format | Debut | Last Match |
|---|---|---|
| T20I | vs England, 14 Mar 2021 | vs Namibia, 12 Feb 2026 |
| ODI | vs Sri Lanka, 18 Jul 2021 | vs Afghanistan, 11 Oct 2023 |
| Test | vs West Indies, 12 Jul 2023 | vs West Indies, 20 Jul 2023 |
| IPL | vs Punjab Kings, 11 Apr 2016 | vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 25 May 2025 |
Playing Style and Strengths
- Explosive powerplay hitter
- Strong square-of-the-wicket game
- Excellent against pace and spin
- High strike rate in T20 cricket
- Fearless approach in chases
Kishan thrives when given freedom at the top of the order. His ability to accelerate from ball one makes him a valuable asset in modern cricket.
Future Prospects
At 27, Ishan Kishan is entering the prime years of his cricketing career. With growing maturity, improved shot selection, and continued consistency in T20 cricket, he remains a strong contender for India’s white-ball plans in upcoming ICC tournaments.
If he continues to combine aggression with discipline, Kishan has the potential to become one of India’s most impactful wicketkeeper-batsmen in limited-overs history.