From teammate to coach, Ishank Jaggi watched Ishan rebuild himself | Cricket News
Kolkata: Almost fourteen years after Ishank Jaggi was named Player of the Match when East Zone last won the Duleep Trophy, he watched Ishan Kishan collect the same award as the region ended its long wait for the title.For Jaggi, the coincidence was nostalgic. But more than the memories of his own playing days, seeing someone he considers a younger brother reach the summit gave him more satisfaction.With their similar names — Ishank and Ishan — adding a little coincidence to a bond that has grown from being teammates to mentor and student, Jaggi has known Kishan since the latter was around 16. He was one of the young wicketkeeper-batter’s first senior teammates and, over the years, their relationship evolved from dressing-room association to a much closer bond. Jaggi later worked with Kishan at his cricket academy and also played a role in his development as a coach.That has given Jaggi a ringside view of Kishan’s journey — from an exciting, aggressive young batter to a more mature all-format cricketer.“Ishan always had that fighting spirit and hunger. That was never missing. What has changed is the experience and maturity he has gained,” Jaggi said.Kishan’s difficult phase after losing his place in the India side and his BCCI central contract in 2024, according to Jaggi, became an important turning point.“Sometimes when you hit rock bottom, you start thinking more deeply about your game and your career,” he said. Rather than allowing the setback to derail him, Kishan used the period to work on several aspects of his game. Jaggi said the batter put considerable effort into his batting, fitness, nutrition and preparation, while also developing a better understanding of his own game.The biggest change, Jaggi believes, has been in Kishan’s ability to temper his natural aggression according to the demands of a situation. “He was always seen as an attacking player, but over the last couple of years he has shown that he can also build an innings and play according to what the team requires,” Jaggi said.His stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad also helped in that evolution. At Mumbai Indians, Kishan had been part of a star-studded batting line-up. With SRH, he was entrusted with greater responsibility as stand-in skipper in Pat Cummins’ absence in the early part of 2026 IPL, something Jaggi feels accelerated his growth.“Responsibility often helps a player grow,” he said.The results have been visible since Kishan began his comeback through domestic grind and then grabbed the opportunities that came his way. His performances eventually took him back into India’s plans, culminating in his return to the national T20 setup.For Jaggi, however, the journey is personal as much as professional.When East Zone reached this year’s Duleep Trophy final, someone tagged Jaggi on social media, reminding him of his own Player of the Match performance in the 2012 final. It was only then that he realised how striking the parallel was.“I hadn’t really thought about it until someone tagged me,” Jaggi said.Jaggi had won the honour when they last lifted the trophy in Oct 2012. Almost fourteen years later, Kishan — the player he has known since his teenage years and later worked with as a coach — produced a match-winning performance in the final and claimed the same individual award.Yet, Jaggi insists he is not living in the past. “I’m more excited about the current team. My playing days are over, so there’s no point living in the past,” he said.Instead, his pride is centred on Kishan and the new generation he has seen emerge from Jharkhand.“More than anything, I’m happy for Ishan. He’s like a younger brother to me.”As Kishan lifted the trophy after leading East Zone to their first Duleep title in 14 editions, Jaggi could look back at the journey from a young player in the dressing room to a cricketer he helped nurture away from the spotlight.“It gives me immense satisfaction,” Jaggi said.For a coach-cum-mentor who had watched the highs and lows from close quarters, seeing Kishan turn adversity into a statement of maturity — and then repeat his own Duleep Trophy Player of the Match feat — made the moment all the more special.
