Following his blistering 34-ball 69 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kishan highlighted his evolved mindset, which he cultivated during a recent hiatus from cricket.
“About the World Cup, it is not in my hands and I am taking things very easy right now. You have to take one match at a time. One needs to understand that a lot is not in the hands of the players,” Kishan remarked in the post-match press conference.
Emphasizing the significance of the IPL, Kishan underscored the importance of staying grounded and focusing on each game individually.
“It’s a very big tournament and you do not want to overstep. I am just taking one game at a time and however I can help the team, let’s do it,” he added.
Kishan’s recent absence from the national team sparked controversy, particularly after he requested a break during India’s tour of South Africa in December. Despite the setbacks, Kishan remained resilient, honing his cricketing skills during his time away from the spotlight.
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Returning to competitive cricket in February, Kishan’s dedication and hard work have paid dividends in the IPL. Currently, he leads the run-scoring charts for Mumbai Indians with 161 runs from five matches, showcasing his ability to provide early momentum with a strike rate of 182.95.
However, Kishan emphasized that his performance is not about proving a point to his detractors. “There is nothing like that (that) I want to prove to someone. I just have to go there and enjoy,” he stated.
Displaying a mature perspective, Kishan acknowledged the importance of focusing on controllables rather than uncontrollables, emphasizing the development of a resilient mindset.
“This is where getting a good mindset works. The Ishan Kishan of the past would not have left the balls alone if the bowling was good in the first two overs. But with time I have learned that a 20-over game is also very long and you can take your time and move forward while keeping the belief in yourself,” he remarked.
(With inputs from PTI)