Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has heaped immense praise on Jharkhand captain Ishan Kishan, following his spectacular performance that secured his state's maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title. Chopra's comments came after Kishan's blistering century in the final against Haryana on December 19, 2025, a knock that has reignited discussions about his potential return to the national team.
A Captain's I-shaandar Performance
In a detailed video shared on social media platform X, Chopra highlighted Kishan's transformational leadership and prolific run-scoring throughout the domestic T20 tournament. Kishan amassed 517 runs in the competition, crowning his campaign with an unbeaten 101 in the high-pressure final. Under his captaincy, Jharkhand achieved a remarkable record of 11 victories in 12 matches, showcasing a dominant and consistent campaign.
"Ishan Kishan has turned into I-shaandar Kishan," Chopra stated, playing on the Hindi word for 'magnificent'. He addressed past criticisms head-on, noting, "Everyone used to say he did not play domestic cricket and wasn't serious about his game so we will not select him for the Indian team. Now, he has made his team Jharkhand the champions." Chopra emphasized that the wicketkeeper-batter has led from the front and by example, silencing his detractors with sheer performance.
The Roadmap Back to Team India
Aakash Chopra laid out a clear path for Kishan's international comeback, linking it directly to his upcoming performances. The analyst pointed out that Kishan has also been among the runs in the Ranji Trophy, scoring close to 250 runs with a century, proving his red-ball credentials. He reminded everyone of Kishan's existing pedigree, notably his double-century in ODI cricket, a feat achieved by very few.
"He was, is and will be a great player and now he has made a comeback," Chopra asserted. However, he pinpointed the next crucial step: a successful Indian Premier League (IPL) season. "Ishan Kishan's time has almost come. Not this World Cup but after it provided he has a good IPL, he will either be in the conversation for an Indian team spot or will be in the team proper," he added, placing the onus on the premier T20 league.
Context of Kishan's Absence
The century against Haryana marks a powerful statement of intent from the 26-year-old, who has been out of the Indian squad since late 2023. His last appearance for India was in a T20I against Australia in November 2023. He last played a Test in September 2023 against the West Indies and his most recent ODI was in October 2023 against Sri Lanka. This period away from the national spotlight makes his domestic dominance and leadership all the more significant.
Chopra's analysis suggests that Kishan has successfully used the domestic circuit to rebuild his case for selection. By shouldering the responsibility of captaincy and delivering consistently with the bat, he has addressed the concerns that led to his exclusion. The upcoming IPL season now stands as the final audition, where performances under intense scrutiny could propel him back into the blue jersey.
