Hardik Pandya wants me to be a 'great player', says Ishan Kishan on his India A selection

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Ishan Kishan is gearing up for a new chapter in his cricketing journey, as he joins the India A squad for the Australia tour. The young batter has faced a challenging 10 months, marked by his exclusion from the Indian team and the loss of his BCCI central contract.

However, Kishan credits much of his resilience to the support and guidance of Hardik Pandya, whose practical approach has profoundly influenced him.

Reflecting on the mental challenges he's had to overcome, Kishan said, "I feel I am lucky enough that my thinking pattern is very practical... I have spent a lot of time with Hardik, and you also know that he is a very practical guy. What's needed, is needed. You don't have to cry about everything."

This straightforward mindset, he explains, has helped him develop a balanced perspective, essential for handling the ups and downs of professional cricket. Kishan's relationship with Pandya goes beyond just friendship. Since joining Mumbai Indians, where he first bonded with Hardik, Kishan has looked up to the senior player, finding inspiration in his steady resilience and mental fortitude.

"Hardik wants me to be a great player, so he keeps sharing ideas with me," Kishan shares. "You need to find that neutral point where even when you score a hundred, you have to be very calm. Even if you get out early, you have to stay grounded. You have to find that right balance."

Their time together in Baroda was a pivotal experience for Kishan. The time away from the spotlight allowed him to work not only on his physical skills but also on grounding himself mentally. "In Baroda, we had a plan and a routine. I used to do a lot of yoga and meditation," he recalls. Kishan didn't pick up a bat for the first month, focusing instead on practices that would strengthen his inner calm and help him reconnect with the hunger for the game he had as a young cricketer.

Despite the criticism on social media, Kishan remains unfazed, having learned from Hardik Pandya's resilience in the face of negativity. "People will troll you if you don't do well," Kishan acknowledges, "but at the end of the day, when you perform, the same set of people will praise you."

With renewed focus and his sights set on Australia, Kishan is determined to make his way back into the Men in Blue squad-drawing strength from Hardik's advice and his commitment to staying grounded.