Indian youngster Ishan Kishan was in a scintillating touch on Thursday in Mumbai Indians’ match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, getting to task and smacking (69) off (34) to set the stage for Mumbai Indians’ grand victory. Leading a barrage of boundaries, Kishan made way for MI’s second straight victory of the tournament. He led the assault alongside Rohit Sharma (38 off 24) to put on a hundred-run partnership. 

Ahead of the IPL, Ishan Kishan was embroiled in a big predicament after he decided to pull out of India’s series against South Africa citing mental fatigue, and later remained unavailable for International selection. 

BCCI, ahead of the IPL, released the list of players being in central contracts, but Ishan Kishan was omitted from BCCI’s annual contracts. Kishan was also requested to play Ranji Trophy, but he chose to prepare for Indian Premier League. Opening up on his absence, Kishan said certain things are beyond player’s control. 

"I was practicing. When I took time off the game, people were talking a lot. Many things came on social media. But you should also realize that many things are not in the hands of the players,” said Ishan while addressing media after MI’s win. 

"The only thing you can do is utilise the time properly. Also the mindset to think about the previous Ishan Kishan, I would never leave a delivery in the first two overs even if they are bowling well,” he said.

“With time I have learnt that even 20 overs is a big game, you can take your time and you can go ahead. Even though we have lost matches, we want to work together as a team. Changes have come like even if I am not performing and if I know someone else is not performing, I talk to them. I want to know what they are thinking. So these are things which helped me in the break," said Kishan.