Ishan Kishan: Contract termination, girlfriend & comeback (2025)

Few cricketers have watched their career arc bend as sharply as Ishan Kishan. One year after smashing a double century in ODIs, he was left out of the BCCI central contract list – a move that sparked questions about discipline, priorities, and what it takes to stay in India’s plans. This article traces the contract dispute, his personal life, the comeback path, and the facts that are often lost in the noise.

Full name: Ishan Kishan ·
Born: 18 July 1998 (age 26) ·
Role: Wicket-keeper batter ·
IPL team (2025): Sunrisers Hyderabad ·
National team debut: 2021 (T20I) ·
Highest individual score (ODI): 210

Six facts that define Ishan Kishan’s profile, drawn from official records and verified sources.

Why Was Ishan Kishan Terminated from the BCCI Central Contract?

Breach of discipline clause

On 28 February 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released its annual central contract list for the 2023–24 season. Ishan Kishan’s name was absent. India Today reported that the BCCI explicitly stated that Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were not considered for the annual retainership. The stated reason: players who skip domestic cricket when not on national duty will not be prioritised. BCCI secretary Jay Shah had sent a clear directive earlier in the season that participation in the Ranji Trophy was mandatory for centrally contracted players.

The timeline of absence from domestic cricket

After requesting a personal break during the South Africa tour in December 2023 – a request the BCCI granted (ESPNcricinfo) – Kishan did not play any BCCI-organised competitive cricket for the rest of the 2023–24 domestic season. He reappeared only in a privately run DY Patil T20 Cup in Mumbai just before the contract decision. The implication: the BCCI saw the gap as a breach of the policy that domestic cricket must take precedence when a player is not on national duty.

The pattern: Kishan’s omission was not a punishment for taking a break – it was a consequence of not returning to domestic cricket after the break, while other players on the fringes (like KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel) spent the winter playing first-class matches.

Why Did India Drop Ishan Kishan from the National Team?

Selection policy after contract snub

Once the BCCI contracts were announced, the national selection committee made it clear that availability for domestic cricket was a prerequisite for national selection. Kishan had not played any competitive cricket since November 2023 (two ODIs and three T20Is before the South Africa tour, according to ESPNcricinfo). Without recent match practice, selectors opted for wicket-keepers who were actively playing domestic matches.

Competition from other wicket-keepers

Rishabh Pant’s return after his accident, KL Rahul’s consistent performances, and the emergence of Dhruv Jurel in Test cricket created a crowded wicket-keeper pool. Kishan, who had last played a Test in July 2023, fell down the pecking order. The catch: while Kishan’s white-ball numbers (210 in ODIs) remain outstanding, the gap in domestic participation made it easy for selectors to look elsewhere.

Who Is Ishan Kishan’s Girlfriend and What Is His Relationship Status?

Aditi Hundia – confirmed partner

Ishan Kishan is in a relationship with Aditi Hundia, a model and actress. The couple has been linked since at least 2023, and their relationship was confirmed by multiple news outlets and social media sightings. Neither Kishan nor Hundia has issued an official statement, but they are often seen together at events and in shared posts.

The IPL 2023 kissing incident

During the 2023 IPL season, a camera captured Kishan kissing his girlfriend in the stands after a match. The clip went viral, but no formal statement was ever released about the relationship. It remains a private matter that the player has not addressed publicly.

The pattern: Kishan’s relationship is a private matter that only becomes a story because of public curiosity and the viral moment in 2023.

Which Caste Does Ishan Kishan Belong To?

Misinformation about caste

Online discussions frequently link Ishan Kishan to the Rajput community. However, no official interview, government document, or BCCI record lists his caste. The speculation appears to stem from his surname “Kishan” and his family’s roots in Bihar, but no credible evidence supports a specific claim.

Public statements from the player

Ishan Kishan has never discussed his caste in any media interaction. His social media profiles do not mention it, and the BCCI does not disclose caste information for players. The upshot: any claim about his caste is unverified and should be treated as rumour.

When and Why Was Ishan Kishan Banned for 2 Years?

The alleged ban rumour

In March 2024, social media erupted with posts claiming that Ishan Kishan had been banned for two years by the BCCI. The rumour gained traction because Kishan was not included in any national squad and did not play domestic cricket. But no official ban order exists.

Reality of the contractual exclusion

The BCCI’s announcement in February 2024 did not mention a ban. It simply stated that Kishan was not considered for the contract. The distinction is crucial: a ban would have prevented him from playing all BCCI events, including the IPL. Yet Kishan was eligible for the IPL 2024 auction (though he went unsold) and later played the Ranji Trophy in January 2025. The pattern: the “ban” rumour is a misinterpretation of the contract omission.

Ishan Kishan Comeback Story: How Did He Return to Cricket?

Throwdown specialist training

During his break, Kishan shared videos on social media of himself training with a throwdown specialist – a method used by several top batters to simulate match conditions. He posted a clip with the caption “working on the comeback” in mid-2024, signalling his intention to return.

Return to domestic cricket in 2024

Kishan finally played for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy in January 2025 (ESPNcricinfo), his first BCCI-organised match since the South Africa tour. In March 2025, he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2025. The trade-off: Kishan’s return path required swallowing the pride of playing domestic cricket, exactly what the BCCI had demanded.

What Are Ishan Kishan’s Key Stats and Net Worth?

Batting records in ODIs, T20Is, IPL

A breakdown of Ishan Kishan’s career numbers across formats, sourced from ESPNcricinfo:

Net worth and endorsement comparisons

Ishan Kishan’s estimated net worth is around $5 million, based on IPL contracts, BCCI match fees before the contract termination, and endorsement deals. In comparison, Shubman Gill’s net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million, owing to a longer tenure with the national team and more brand endorsements. These are third-party estimates from sources such as Sportskeeda and should be treated as approximations.

The catch: Kishan’s net worth is still significant even without a central contract, thanks to IPL earnings, but his brand value has taken a hit.

Quotes from key voices

“Players were told to prioritise domestic cricket when not on national duty. The decision on contracts was based on that guideline.”

– Jay Shah, BCCI secretary (as reported by India Today)

“Sometimes you need a break to reset. Working hard with the throwdown specialist, getting back to basics.”

– Ishan Kishan, social media post (2024) – paraphrased from training video captions

“Kishan’s absence from domestic cricket after his break was the decisive factor in losing his contract.”

– ESPNcricinfo analysis (reported ESPNcricinfo)

For Ishan Kishan, the path back to the Indian team is clear: play domestic cricket when available, deliver in the IPL, and let performances do the talking. The BCCI’s message was unambiguous – no player is bigger than the Ranji Trophy. For a 26-year-old with a 210 in ODIs, the talent has never been the question. The question is whether the discipline matches it.

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