Ishan Kishan

He made up for that quiet tournament in the Ranji season that came next. Kishan finished as Jharkhand's top run-getter with 799 runs, an aggregate that featured an innings of 273 against Delhi. That knock is his career best and, according to the source, the highest score by any Jharkhand batsman.

Breaking into the national side was difficult for a while. India had a settled opening combination in white-ball cricket and Dhoni behind the stumps, while other keeper-batters such as Rishabh Pant, his opening partner from the Under-19 days, Dinesh Karthik, Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel were also in the picture. His breakthrough came through the IPL, where he scored 516 runs for a title-winning Mumbai Indians in a season staged in the UAE. That earned him a call-up for India's home T20I series against England, and an ODI debut followed in a series against Sri Lanka.

His biggest moment for India was a double century against Bangladesh in 2022. He also made 82 against Pakistan at the 2023 Asia Cup and was picked for the 2023 World Cup, playing the opening two matches before Shubman Gill returned and took his place.

Kishan was left off the BCCI's annual contract list for the 2024 season after he did not play domestic matches for Jharkhand, citing mental fatigue, even though the board had advised him to. He remained sought after in the IPL, however, and Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for 11.25 crores at the auction ahead of the 2025 season.