Ishan Kishan’s Redemption Arc: From Double Century Glory to Bhagavad Gita and a Jharkhand Captaincy Comeback
Four Decembers. Four distinct chapters in a career that has swung from the dizzying heights of a world record to the quiet, introspective depths of spiritual questioning. This is the story of Ishan Kishan—a tale of explosive talent, harsh reality, and a quiet, determined redemption that’s just beginning to unfold.
Kishan’s journey is a masterclass in professional resilience, a narrative that goes far beyond mere statistics. It’s a human story about finding your center when the world seems to have written you off. And for Kishan, that center was found not on the pitch, but within the ancient pages of the Bhagavad Gita.
Table of Contents
- The Double Century Dream (December 2022)
- The Fallout and The Fall (December 2023)
- Finding Solace in the Gita
- The Redemption Tour: Captain, Jharkhand (December 2024)
- The Path Back to Blue
- Conclusion: A Career Redefined
- Sources
The Double Century Dream (December 2022)
On December 10, 2022, in Chattogram, Bangladesh, a 24-year-old Ishan Kishan announced his arrival on the world stage in the most spectacular fashion imaginable. Facing a depleted Bangladesh attack, Kishan unleashed a fearsome onslaught, hammering an unbeaten 210 off just 126 balls .
This wasn’t just any innings. It was a historic, record-breaking double century—the fastest ever in ODI cricket at the time, propelling India to a massive 409/8 . It was the kind of innings that cements a player’s place in the side for years to come. The future looked blindingly bright for the young wicketkeeper from Jharkhand .
The Fallout and The Fall (December 2023)
Fast forward to December 2023, and the narrative had taken a sharp, brutal turn. After a grueling schedule, Kishan was in the Test squad for the tour of South Africa but opted out, citing personal reasons and mental fatigue . However, reports soon surfaced that he had been spotted at a social event, casting doubt on his stated reasons .
The fallout was swift and severe. The BCCI responded by omitting him from its central contracts list for the 2023-24 season, a clear signal that his actions had damaged his standing with the national team management . Questions about his attitude and commitment began to overshadow his immense talent. The man who was a national hero a year prior was now a cautionary tale on the fringes of Indian cricket.
Finding Solace in the Gita
In the silence that followed his exile, Kishan didn’t lash out or retreat from public view. Instead, he turned inward. He found a profound source of strength and perspective in the Bhagavad Gita, the ancient Hindu scripture that is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
The Gita’s core message is one of detached action—performing your duty without being consumed by the desire for its fruits or the fear of failure. For a young athlete grappling with the crushing weight of public scrutiny and professional disappointment, this philosophy was a lifeline. Quotes like “Your right is to the work only, never to its fruits” must have resonated deeply, helping him refocus on his craft rather than the noise surrounding it.
The Redemption Tour: Captain, Jharkhand (December 2024)
Kishan’s path back wasn’t through press conferences or social media, but through the hard, unglamorous grind of domestic cricket. In a powerful symbol of his return, he was named captain of the Jharkhand team for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season . This was his chance to lead, to prove his maturity, and to showcase his talent once more.
And he has seized it with both hands. Leading from the front, Kishan has delivered a series of commanding performances. His leadership has been described as sending a “strong message for Team India selection” , proving that he’s not just ready to play, but ready to be a responsible and impactful member of a team.
The Path Back to Blue
The road back to the Indian team remains a steep climb. The wicketkeeper-batter slot is fiercely contested, with the likes of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant firmly in the mix for major tournaments like the 2025 Champions Trophy . Young talents like Dhruv Jurel are also pushing hard .
However, Kishan’s unique blend of explosive batting at the top of the order and his solid wicketkeeping skills offer a different dimension. His recent form as a leader and a run-scorer for Jharkhand is the most compelling argument he can make. He’s no longer just a talented youngster; he’s a seasoned campaigner who has faced adversity and emerged stronger. If his current trajectory continues, a recall to the Indian fold, particularly for white-ball cricket where his power-hitting is a major asset, seems increasingly plausible.
Conclusion: A Career Redefined
The story of Ishan Kishan is a powerful reminder that a career in elite sport is rarely a straight line. It’s a rollercoaster of dizzying peaks and humbling valleys. His journey—from the historic double century to the depths of being dropped, his spiritual rediscovery through the Bhagavad Gita, and his current redemption as captain of Jharkhand—is one of the most compelling narratives in modern Indian cricket.
He has been through the fire and come out the other side with a renewed sense of purpose. Whether or not he dons the blue jersey again soon, his story has already been rewritten from one of a fallen star to that of a resilient and introspective athlete on a mission of personal and professional redemption. The cricketing world is watching his next move with great interest.