Ishan Kishan’s Comeback: Mastering the Off-Side and Reigniting His India Career
For years, data analysis pointed to a clear strategy for bowling to Ishan Kishan: target the channel outside off-stump. This approach aimed to exploit a perceived weakness, limiting his explosive hitting power. However, Kishan proved to be remarkably self-aware, recognizing this flaw and dedicating himself to improvement.
Addressing the Weakness
Until the New Zealand series in late 2023, Kishan hadn’t featured in a T20I. However, his time in the nets was laser-focused on sharpening the one area of his T20 game that needed work. “He said I have to improve my off-side hitting ability. I mean, along the ground, he was absolutely alright. But he spoke about hitting sixes on the off-side,” reveals Virat Singh, Kishan’s Jharkhand teammate, in an interview with Cricbuzz. This sentiment was echoed by New Zealand’s opposition research, leading Zakary Foulkes to bowl wide outside off-stump during their encounter in Raipur.
While traditionally strong through the leg-side with his flicks, swivel-pulls, and hook shots, Kishan’s ability to consistently clear the field on the off-side was a work in progress. Foulkes’ wide lines didn’t yield the expected results; Kishan reached out and confidently cleared the infield over cover. Jacob Duffy attempted the same tactic, with a similar outcome. The sixes didn’t come immediately, but the aerial access on the off-side had demonstrably returned.
The Turning Point
The breakthrough moment came in Thiruvananthapuram, where Kishan dispatched Lockie Ferguson’s leg-cutters over extra cover for six, showcasing his revitalized off-side prowess. These individual moments weren’t isolated incidents; they were crucial plot points in his remarkable India comeback, a journey marked by significant self-correction.
“When he was back home, he told me [about his off-season]. I spoke to a lot of bowlers who were bowling in the nets to him. They said that he was trying really hard to improve his off-side game. Since childhood, he has been very dominant through the leg-side. He was very specific that I have to improve my off-side game as well,” Virat Singh adds.
Technical Adjustments and Coaching Insights
Kishan’s dedication to improvement wasn’t a recent development. He consistently sought honest feedback during batting conversations with Virat Singh, stretching back long before his recent off-season work. He also consulted Rajiv Kumar, his coach from his age-group and Ranji cricket days.
During a dinner in January 2025, Kishan voiced his frustration with his inability to score freely on the off-side. Rajiv Kumar requested Kishan demonstrate his grip, and immediately noticed a change from the grip he’d coached in 2019. Rajiv advised Kishan to revert to his natural grip, which facilitated a more fluid bat swing. “Naturally, he had a very good grip, and his balance was very good. If you see his older videos, you can see how clean his ball striking was,” Rajiv Kumar explains to Cricbuzz. “Somewhere in between he tried a few things, changed his grip and locked himself completely – in a way where he missed out on playing anything on the off-side.”
IPL 2025 and Beyond
Kishan implemented these changes in IPL 2025 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, making a significant contribution to Jofra Archer’s record-breaking 0/76 and ultimately scoring a century. While his season wasn’t consistently productive, it laid the foundation for his return to the Indian team, which was also embracing a more aggressive, all-attack style of play.
Rajiv Kumar believes Kishan’s move to SRH was pivotal. “Ishan is a hyperactive kid, and he likes those hyperactive situations where he can thrive. Going to SRH suited his style of batting,” he states. “The best way for him to deliver is when he can channelise his energy in the right way.”
A Champion’s Mindset
Before earning his place as a backup keeper for India, Kishan approached the domestic season with unwavering ambition. He focused on winning championships, believing that success at the domestic level would pave the way for a return to the national team. He instilled this winning mentality within the Jharkhand team, emphasizing the importance of intensity and a commitment to victory.
Kishan’s journey is a testament to his dedication, self-awareness, and relentless pursuit of improvement. His tattoo, reading ‘trust your struggle,’ encapsulates his mindset. Losing his India spot and central contract served as a catalyst for self-improvement, culminating in a sensational SMAT season and a well-deserved return to the Indian squad. Now, as India’s first-choice opener in a home World Cup, Kishan is proving that his upgraded skillset can handle any challenge, and that bowlers aiming for that off-stump channel may be facing a losing battle.
