Kishan, who last played for India in November, asked for rest during the December-January tour of South Africa. He returned to action during the DY Patil T20 Cup in February. Currently, he is the leading run-scorer for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 with 161 runs at a strike rate of 182.95.
“It (IPL) is a long big tournament and you don’t want to overdo it. I’m taking it one game at a time and (my motto) however I can help the team, let’s do it.
Talking about the time away from the game, Kishan said, “I was practicing (during the break), when you take a break, people gossip a lot about it, they say a lot of things on social media, but I think it’s important. We can adopt a better mentality to understand that everything is not in the hands of the players. .
Along with Shreyas Iyer, Kishan was not considered for the BCCI central contract for the period between October 2023 and September 2024. But, Kishan is not thinking of proving a point to anyone.
“There’s nothing (that) I want to prove to anybody,” he said. “I’ve got to go out there and have fun. I’ve learned that you don’t have to stress yourself over these things that are out of your hands. You have to figure out what is (your) controllable and what is (your) uncontrollable.”
“If I was the old Ishan Kishan, I might not have bowled well in the first two overs (against RCB). I was under pressure. But with time I learned that even 20 overs is a lot and you can do it. Take your time and all these things helped me in that break, but Most of the players are excited to work with everyone, not just me. We are all about performing well for the team and not knowing what the other players are going through, so if someone is not doing well, I know how they feel.
“So these things changed in me, even if I wasn’t performing, if I knew someone wasn’t feeling well, let’s talk to them, let’s know what their mood is. So these things happened after that break.”
Hardik loves challenges, fans start loving him
“He (Hardik) likes challenges, he was in this situation before and now he is in that situation,” Kishan said. “He’s not one to come out and talk about it and say let’s stop it. I am. I know he must be enjoying it, I’ve spent a lot of time with him because you can’t complain to the fans, they come up with their own explanation.”
Kishan said that Hardik can overcome the anger of fans with his performance.
“Knowing how Hardik Pandya thinks, people will be happy to do that but I know in the coming matches he will do it with the bat and people will start loving him (again). People will recognize your hard work, you are still doing well for your team for what you are.
“Our fans are a little harsh on you but at the same time when you do well or it doesn’t (yet) bother you and (show) you’re in a good head space, that can change. If not today, if not tomorrow, the day after tomorrow.”