Once bitten, twice shy—Ishan Kishan is determined to let his bat do the talking this season, and his approach is already paying dividends. But here's where it gets intriguing: can a cricketer truly succeed by abandoning all targets? Kishan seems to think so, and his recent performance for Jharkhand in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy suggests he might be onto something. After a cautious yet masterful century against Tamil Nadu, Kishan declared, 'Let's not keep any target this season. Just keep on batting.' But is this strategy sustainable, or is it a recipe for inconsistency? Let’s dive in.
The opening day in Coimbatore saw Kishan in a rare, restrained avatar, anchoring Jharkhand’s innings with an unbeaten 125 off 183 deliveries. This wasn’t the swashbuckling Kishan fans are used to; instead, it was a testament to his growing maturity. With Jharkhand reeling at 79 for 3, Kishan walked in at No. 5 and played the long game, shelving his signature big hits—he managed just two sixes in his entire innings. Alongside Sahil Raj, he stitched a crucial 150-run partnership for the seventh wicket, steering his team to a respectable 307 for 6 by stumps. And this is the part most people miss: Kishan’s ability to adapt his game based on the situation, a skill he credits to experience.
'You make so many mistakes initially in your career, and then you realize the real meaning of experience,' Kishan reflected in an interview with The Indian Express. 'You have to be in the middle and only then can you change the game.' This mindset shift is bold, especially for a player known for his aggressive strokeplay. But Kishan argues that sometimes, singles are more important than sixes—a controversial take in today’s T20-dominated era. Is he right, or is he sacrificing his natural game for the sake of caution?
Kishan’s journey to this point hasn’t been without hurdles. After a promising county stint with Nottinghamshire, where he scored 77 and 87 in two innings, he was on the verge of a Test recall for India’s squad against England. However, an e-bike accident in the UK sidelined him, and Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan was chosen instead. Fully recovered, Kishan returned to domestic cricket, featuring for Rest of India in the Irani Cup before the Ranji season began. Now, as Jharkhand’s captain and most experienced player, he’s shouldering the responsibility of leading by example.
'At this stage, I need to be very smart,' Kishan admitted. 'You need to understand the importance of the Ranji Trophy, especially when you’re playing against big teams.' His focus on the present, rather than fixating on targets, seems to be working—at least for now. But the question remains: Can this approach sustain success at higher levels? Or is Kishan’s strategy a double-edged sword that could backfire under pressure?
What do you think? Is Kishan’s target-free approach the future of batting, or is it a risky gamble? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
