As the clock ticks down to the T20 World Cup, Indian cricketers are capitalizing on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to audition for a spot on the national team. This cricketing extravaganza offers a prime opportunity for players to showcase their talent to selectors, with the hope of earning their place in the much-coveted tournament squad. With stiff competition and numerous positions still open, performances in the IPL are now more crucial than ever.
A particularly hotly contested role is that of the wicketkeeper, where a number of high-profile players are vying for selection. Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Jitesh Sharma are all in the running for this key position. Among these, Ishan Kishan of the Mumbai Indians has adopted a focused, game-by-game approach. Reflecting on the World Cup prospects, Kishan voiced his philosophy during a post-match press conference stating, “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.”
Moreover, Kishan has emphasized the magnitude of the IPL, noting the importance of not overstepping one’s role, “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, (my motto is) let’s do it,” he articulated.
Kishan has recently made a comeback to the competitive cricket scene after a brief hiatus from international cricket. His last stint in an Indian jersey was during the T20I series against Australia, after which he took a break ahead of the Test series against South Africa. When questioned about his absence from domestic cricket and his decision to prepare for the IPL instead, Kishan defended his choices, “I was practicing as well as I could.”
Acknowledging the chatter around his time off, particularly on social media, Kishan recognizes the importance of personal time, “I had taken (an) off (time) and when you take an off, a lot of it gets spoken about on social media. What we can do is that if you have taken time (out) for yourself, use it the best way possible for yourself.”
Throughout his career, Kishan has faced immense pressure and expectations from various quarters. Yet, he has maintained a rather laid-back perspective with regard to proving his credentials. Denying any intent to demonstrate his worth to critics, he expressed a desire to simply enjoy the game, “There is nothing like that (that) I want to prove to someone. I just have to go there and enjoy. I have learned that you do not have to add pressure on yourself about these things which are not in your hand. You have to figure out what are (your) controllable and what are (your) uncontrollable.”
Kishan’s return to form in the DY Patil T20 Cup was a step in the right direction, as he eyes a return to international cricket and potentially a bright future in the T20 World Cup. Nevertheless, with the competition fierce not just for the wicketkeeping spot but across the entire team, all eyes will be on the IPL to see which players rise to the occasion and which succumb to the pressure.
With each IPL match essentially acting as its own trial, the tournament becomes a breeding ground for future stars and a battleground for the established ones. As all franchises play their part in this sports theater, and the players give their all, we are reminded again that the IPL is not just about entertainment; it’s also a gateway to achieving national team ambitions for many aspiring cricketers across India.
