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Wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan looked in fine form as Mumbai Indians hammered Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match on Thursday. Ishan showed his true potential in the shortest format of the game, scoring 69 runs off just 34 balls to lay the perfect foundation for Mumbai Indians in the chase of 197 runs. Speaking to media after the match, Ishan opened up on the controversial few weeks before the start of the IPL where his future in the Indian team was under question.

Ishan withdrew from the South Africa series over mental fatigue and reportedly didn’t make himself available for international selection in the following months. He decided to prepare for IPL with his MI captain Hardik Pandya despite head coach Rahul Dravid and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah urging him to play Ranji Trophy.

Opening up on the saga, Ishan said: “I was practicing. When I took time off from 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.”

Ishan has brought about a big shift in his mindset during the break. His gave a deep insight into his thought process, especially about handling the low phases in his career.

“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. 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,” he further added.