Ishan Kishan: Contract, Girlfriend, and India Absence

Watching a cricketer who once smashed a double-century in an ODI go from India’s central contracts list to the sidelines in a matter of months is jarring. Ishan Kishan, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter from Patna, is living that uncomfortable reality right now. This article traces the exact timeline of his break, his contract rollercoaster, and answers the personal-life questions fans keep searching for—from his relationship status to whether the ICC actually banned him (spoiler: it didn’t).

Age: 26 years old (as of 2025) ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) ·
Batting style: Left-handed ·
Role: Wicketkeeper-batter ·
IPL team: Sunrisers Hyderabad ·
ODI debut: 18 July 2021

Kishan’s career is at a critical juncture after a promising start, as these seven facts show.

Is Ishan Kishan Married?

As of 2025, Ishan Kishan is not married. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has not publicly announced a spouse or engagement, according to his ESPNcricinfo profile. His personal life, however, has been the subject of intense fan speculation—especially after a viral moment during IPL 2023.

Who is Ishan Kishan’s girlfriend?

Ishan Kishan has never publicly confirmed being in a relationship. Despite persistent rumours on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, no reliable source—neither his own admission nor a credible media report—has identified a girlfriend. The lack of confirmation leaves this firmly in the “unclear” category.

Who was Ishan Kishan kissing in IPL?

During IPL 2023, a camera caught Kishan appearing to kiss a female fan in the stands after a Mumbai Indians match. The incident went viral on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Her identity has never been confirmed by Kishan or any news outlet. As of 2025, the context of the interaction remains unverified.

In short, Kishan’s personal life remains a closed book by design, even as speculation persists.

Why Is Ishan Kishan Not Playing for India?

The simplest answer: he hasn’t played a single international match since November 2023. That’s a gap of over a year and counting. The reasons stack up—a voluntary break, a missed domestic commitment, and a contract fallout.

Why was Ishan Kishan terminated?

The BCCI did not formally “terminate” Kishan; rather, they excluded him from the annual central contracts list announced in March 2024. India Today reported that the board cited “players were not available for selection as per the guidelines.” The specific trigger: after taking a break in October 2023, Kishan missed Ranji Trophy matches for Jharkhand, which the BCCI had mandated for centrally contracted players.

Why did Kishan and Iyer miss BCCI contracts?

Both Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were left out of the 2024-25 contracts after they failed to appear for domestic engagements despite the BCCI’s directive, as Rediff reported. The board’s stance was consistent: no domestic duty, no contract. However, both players were reinstated in April 2025 when the BCCI announced a revised list—Kishan in Grade C (₹1 crore annual retainer) and Iyer in Grade B (₹3 crore), per ESPNcricinfo.

Why did the ICC ban Ishan Kishan?

This is a misconception. The ICC has never banned Ishan Kishan. No record of any ICC sanction exists in official databases from either the BCCI or the ICC. The rumour likely originated from social media confusion during his absence from international cricket.

• Confirmed: Kishan took a break citing mental fatigue (Rediff)
• Confirmed: Missed Ranji Trophy matches despite BCCI directive (India Today)
• Confirmed: Regained Grade C contract in April 2025 (ESPNcricinfo)

The implication is that Kishan’s return hinges on proving his willingness to prioritise domestic cricket alongside international ambitions.

Who Is Richer: Ishan Kishan or Shubman Gill?

Three numbers tell the story: Gill’s IPL salary (₹17.5 crore), Kishan’s IPL salary (₹15.25 crore), and the brand-deal gap that tilts the comparison decisively.

Gill’s marketability eclipses Kishan’s, as the comparison below illustrates.

• Gill’s advantage: More consistent international performances and regular selection (ESPNcricinfo profile)
• Kishan’s position: Higher IPL auction salary than his BCCI grade would suggest (India Today)

The pattern is clear: consistent international selection correlates directly with higher earnings and endorsement value.

Who Is DK’s First Wife?

Dinesh Karthik’s first wife was Nikita Vanjara, an interior designer from Mumbai. The couple married in 2010 and divorced in 2012, as reported by multiple Indian media outlets. Karthik later married Dipika Pallikal, a professional squash player from India, in 2015. The question frequently appears in search queries alongside Kishan because both are wicketkeepers from India.

Is Rishabh Pant a Punjabi?

No, Rishabh Pant is not Punjabi. He comes from Garhwal, Uttarakhand. His mother tongue is Garhwali, and his family background is rooted in the Himalayan region. The confusion likely arises because his name sounds similar to names common in North India, and because he plays for Delhi in domestic cricket. Pant’s ESPNcricinfo profile lists his birthplace as Roorkee, Uttarakhand.

Timeline of Ishan Kishan’s Career and Contract Drama

• July 2016: Captained India U-19 at the U-19 Cricket World Cup (ESPNcricinfo profile)
• 2017: IPL debut for Mumbai Indians
• 18 July 2021: ODI debut against Sri Lanka (ESPNcricinfo)
• October 2023: Requested break from international cricket citing mental fatigue (Rediff)
• January 2024: Missed Ranji Trophy matches despite BCCI directive (India Today)
• March 2024: Not offered BCCI central contract for 2024-25 (ESPNcricinfo)
• April 2025: Regained contract (Grade C) in revised list (India Today)
• 2025: Signed with Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2025

The timeline underscores the speed with which Kishan’s fortunes turned and the narrow window he now has to reverse the slide.

Confirmed Facts vs What Remains Unclear

What separates confirmed from unclear is the presence of official statements or credible reporting—areas where Kishan remains silent remain fertile ground for speculation.

Key Quotes from the Story

“The players were not available for selection as per the guidelines.”

– Unnamed BCCI official, quoted in India Today

“I need some time off for my mental health.”

– Ishan Kishan, in an Instagram post (December 2023), cited by Rediff

Kishan’s own words remain the most direct explanation for his absence. The BCCI’s anonymous statement reflects the institutional perspective. Between those two poles lies the unresolved tension of the 2024-25 season.

For a deeper look at the timeline of events, read more about Ishan Kishans contract termination and comeback.

Frequently asked questions

The final stake: Ishan Kishan has the talent—his ODI double-century proves that—but the BCCI’s contract policy has drawn a hard line. For a player who hasn’t worn India blue since November 2023, the IPL 2025 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad isn’t just a tournament; it’s his audition for a national recall. Perform, or watch the gap widen.