The Sound of Success: How Ishan Kishan Engineered His Remarkable Comeback
In the high-pressure world of international cricket, comebacks are rarely solo endeavors. For Ishan Kishan, his triumphant return to the Indian cricket team after a two-year hiatus represents not just personal resilience, but the collective effort of dedicated professionals and lifelong friends who stood by him during his darkest hours.
The Throwdown Specialist Who Knows Sixes by Sound
Uttam Mohanty doesn't need to see where the ball lands. As Jharkhand's throwdown specialist, he recognizes Ishan Kishan's shots by their distinctive sound. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final in Pune, when Kishan launched a ball high into the air, nervous teammates wondered if it would be caught. Mohanty calmly declared, "Yeh six hai." The ball sailed over the boundary, leaving teammates astonished at his certainty.
"The sound from the bat rings in my ears," Mohanty explains. "Itna practice kiye hai sath mein. The timing was so sweet—I knew it would go for six."
This auditory expertise comes from countless hours in the nets. For the past two seasons, Mohanty has been Kishan's constant companion during practice sessions, with some throwdown sessions stretching to three grueling hours. Before every match, they dedicate at least forty-five minutes to specific drills.
Transforming Weaknesses into Strengths
Kishan identified a gap in his game—his off-side strokes through cover and point weren't as commanding as his natural leg-side prowess. He approached Mohanty with a specific request: "He showed me the spot and told me to bowl at as much pace as I can," Mohanty recalls. "He practiced it for hours. Ishan's leg side is strong—he can pick the ball from middle and dispatch it with ease. But off-side, he wanted to master it."
The transformation happened gradually, ball by ball, session by session. Their relationship extends beyond cricket—when Mohanty once tried to carry Kishan's kitbag after practice, the cricketer insisted: "Bhai, mein apna saaman khud leke jaoonga, yeh aapka kaam nahi hai." This mutual respect characterizes their partnership.
The Longest Two Years: Contract Loss and Mental Health Break
It's been more than two years since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dropped Kishan from their annual contract list. His request for a break from Test cricket during the South Africa tour, citing mental fatigue, was met with swift consequences—no contract, no national team call-up, and a mandate to return to domestic cricket.
In Patna, childhood friends Siddhant Singh and Anshumat Srivastav watched as Kishan processed this professional setback. "Those two years were tough—not only for Ishan but his family too," says Siddhant. "What he had asked for was just a break, a mental break. It's tough to warm benches, and it seems a time came where he said, 'I need a break from this,' and people took it otherwise."
Anshumat addresses the narrative that formed around his friend more directly: "He was easily labelled as someone who doesn't take playing for India seriously. People didn't understand that. They kept saying things. But this guy—I've never seen anyone that mentally locked in."
The Brotherhood That Sustained Him
Kishan responded to adversity by focusing on what he could control. He hired a dietician, intensified his fitness regimen, and established the Ishan Kishan Academy in Patna with Anshumat. The academy provided both a training base and a purpose beyond his personal comeback—mentoring aspiring cricketers.
Spirituality became another anchor during this period. Siddhant reveals that Kishan drew closer to God, now carrying a photo of Sai Baba and a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in his kit bag.
The friends noticed a significant transformation in Kishan's personality. "The Ishan of 2024 is different from the one of 2019," they observe. "More grounded. More purposeful."
Their bond manifests in both small gestures and significant support. When friends attended his domestic games, Kishan ensured they received seats in the president's box. During an IPL season when Anshumat's dog passed away, Kishan made sure his friend wasn't alone despite tournament demands.
Leadership Qualities Beyond Cricket
Siddhant and Anshumat knew Kishan before fame—as a small boy who played cricket exceptionally well. When Delhi Public School asked him to choose between cricket and studies, his family chose cricket. Even then, Kishan displayed protective instincts, standing up to bullies who targeted juniors.
"He has all the qualities to become a great leader," says Anshumat, highlighting leadership potential that extends beyond the cricket field.
As Kishan prepared for the New Zealand series, his friends expressed confidence in his readiness. "People will see a different Ishan," Siddhant predicted. "This will be redemption time for him."
He jokes that when Kishan's biography is eventually written, these two challenging years will provide perfect material for his second innings narrative.
The Invisible Faces Behind Sporting Greatness
The real story transcends individual achievement. It's about the throwdown specialist who recognizes success by sound, the childhood friends who maintained normalcy during abnormal times, and the spiritual practices that provided inner strength. These invisible supporters helped transform professional setback into personal growth, creating the foundation for Kishan's successful return to international cricket.
Every time Kishan returns from a series, he arrives at his academy with a loaded bag—clothes, bats, gloves—all destined for young cricketers dreaming of following his path. This generosity completes the circle, transforming his comeback journey into inspiration for the next generation.
