Ishan Kishan announced his return to form in spectacular fashion, smashing a sensational 134 off just 78 balls in Jharkhand's Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 clash against Manipur at the Dr. Soni Stadium, Jaipur. The Jharkhand skipper’s aggressive knock included 16 fours and six sixes, propelling his side to a comfortable eight-wicket victory, chasing down Manipur's total of 253/7 in just 28.3 overs.

Kishan, who has been out of the Indian team since the 2023 World Cup, made a strong statement with this innings. His century, coming off just 64 balls, was his sixth in List-A cricket, taking his overall tally to 3,643 runs in 106 matches at an average of over 38 and a strike rate of 94-plus.

Manipur posted a modest total of 253/7, and in response, Ishan Kishan took charge from the start. He formed a commanding 196-run opening partnership with Utkarsh Singh, who contributed 68 off 64 balls. Kishan’s knock was not just an exhibition of power hitting, but a reflection of his temperament and leadership abilities. Jharkhand’s run chase was wrapped up smoothly after Kishan's dismissal, with Kumar Kushagra (26* off 15) and Anukul Roy (17* off 14) finishing the job.

This century comes at a crucial time for Kishan, who has been looking to make a strong case for his return to the national team. His last ODI appearance was during the 2023 World Cup when he filled in for Shubman Gill against Afghanistan. With this blistering knock, Kishan has once again demonstrated his ability to dominate attacks in white-ball cricket, showing his potential to regain a spot in the Indian lineup.