Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan (PTI Photo)

India wicketkeeper-batsman hits winning goal against Namibia in ICC T20 World Cup match in Delhi Ishan Kishan Opens up about the advice he got from the all-rounder Hardik Pandya After losing the BCCI central contract in 2024. Kishan revealed how Hardik urged him not to dwell on setbacks but to make the most of every opportunity in domestic cricket.Kishan’s explosive 24-ball 61, coupled with Hardik’s 28-ball 52 and two wickets, helped India beat Namibia by 93 runs. Post-match, the two chatted light-heartedly about their performance and the difficult phase Kishan went through after losing his contract due to his alleged lack of commitment to red-ball and domestic cricket.

Interestingly, Hardik himself is going through a challenging period in early 2024. After returning to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans, he led the team to the IPL title and was named MI captain. The decision sparked a backlash from a section of fans loyal to former captain Rohit Sharma, with Hardik loudly booed and criticized at multiple venues.During this period, Hardik and Ishan spent considerable time together, deepened their friendship and trained extensively. Kishan was determined to respond with performances and he continued to improve in domestic cricket. He scored 100 runs for India C in the Duleep Trophy and later scored 38 runs in the Irani Cup. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, he scored a century for Jharkhand. He also performed well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 316 runs in seven games in the latter at an average of over 45 and a strike rate of over 128, including a hundred.Kishan carried that momentum into the IPL, scoring 354 runs in his debut season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, including a century against Rajasthan Royals. While playing county cricket in Nottinghamshire, he scored two fifties. He then led Jharkhand to its maiden SMAT title, topping the list with 517 runs (including two hundreds and two fifties) in 10 innings. His impressive 39-ball 125 against Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy further strengthened his case for inclusion in the national team.His return to the India T20I team against New Zealand proved fruitful as he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer with 215 runs, an average of 53.75, and a strike rate of over 231, which included hundreds and fifties. Notably, his offside ability and six-strike ability have improved significantly.Hardik was in the non-striker position when he scored his maiden T20I century against New Zealand in Kerala and Kishan embraced him fondly when he reached the milestone.Looking back on his time away, Kishan said that while he was “not the kind of person to keep quiet”, Hardik advised him to let his bat do the talking.“I’m not normally the type to keep quiet, but because I stayed in touch with him, he said, ‘It depends on whether you want to talk to someone about it or be negative about it. It’s in your hands’. That’s playing cricket and scoring runs. Performed well in any competition I entered. Credit goes to him as well (for helping him make a comeback in India),” Kishan said.Meanwhile, Hardik proudly recalled Kishan’s century against the New Zealanders, highlighting the journey they have endured together.“The rhythm with which you spiked the ball, the way the ball came off the bat, I couldn’t be happier. You’ve worked really hard behind the scenes the last two years to stay quiet. Even if the opportunity doesn’t come, you still smile, keep your morale high, and work hard. ” Hardik said.“Hard work should be done without anyone around. That’s the real benefit. Whatever happens in life, don’t become a crybaby. Get up in the morning, work hard, put your head down and go to sleep. Repeat it again. He took the torch and responded with the bat and I’m really proud of that,” concluded the all-rounder.