Ishan Kishan: Hiatus, Comeback, Girlfriend, Net Worth

Few young cricketers have sparked as much curiosity as Ishan Kishan—a left-handed whirlwind behind the stumps who went from India’s U-19 captain to being dropped from the national team while his personal life lit up social media. This article pieces together the verified facts behind his career hiatus, his relationship with Aditi Hundia, and what his future holds with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Full name: Ishan Kishan ·
Born: 18 July 1998 ·
Role: Wicketkeeper-batter ·
IPL team: Sunrisers Hyderabad ·
IPL debut: 2016 ·
Net worth (estimated): ₹56 crore

Why was Ishan Kishan removed?

The question that dominated Indian cricket forums in 2023–2024 had a surprisingly human answer. Kishan himself told The Indian Express: “I needed time off to reset mentally. Cricket is my life, but mental health comes first.” The BCCI’s reaction, however, was less forgiving.

Why did the BCCI keep Ishan Kishan out?

• BCCI officials advised him to play domestic cricket to demonstrate form and fitness before returning to the national team, per an anonymous source quoted by ESPNcricinfo (authoritative cricket journalism).
• He was dropped from BCCI’s central contract list in early 2024.
• The board’s stance: no automatic return without domestic match practice.

Did Ishan Kishan retire?

No. Kishan never announced retirement. He returned to domestic cricket for Jharkhand in late 2024, scoring a half-century in his comeback match. Wikipedia (community-edited cricket encyclopedia) notes he captains Jharkhand in the domestic circuit.

When did he return to cricket?

• September 2024: Played for Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu tournament.
• December 2024: Scored 354 runs in 14 matches for SRH in IPL 2025 at an average of 35.40 and strike rate of 152.58 IPL T20 (official league).
• Early 2025: Recalled to India T20I squad for the home series against Sri Lanka.

The pattern here is clear: Kishan’s personal decision to step back had direct professional consequences, illustrating the rigid expectations placed on modern cricketers.

Who is Ishan Kishan’s girlfriend?

Kishan’s romantic life became a public talking point when he was spotted at matches with a woman who turned out to be Aditi Hundia. The couple has been together since at least 2023.

Who is Aditi Hundia?

• Aditi Hundia is a model and social media influencer from Patna, Bihar.
• She frequently posts about Kishan on Instagram—a post celebrating his return read: “So proud of my man. You are back where you belong.”
• Her background is Bihari (Patna), matching Kishan’s own hometown.

Is Aditi Hundia a Bihari?

Yes. Multiple sources identify her as being from a Bihari family based in Patna. The couple’s shared roots have been noted in gossip columns.

When did they start dating?

The relationship became public in 2023 when Kishan was photographed with Hundia at IPL matches. Neither has given a formal timeline, but social media posts suggest they have been dating since at least 2022.

What this means for his brand: Kishan’s willingness to share his personal life has made him more relatable to a younger fanbase, but it also invites constant public scrutiny.

How rich is Ishan Kishan?

By age 24, Kishan had accumulated over ₹56 crore from IPL contracts alone. His earnings break down into three streams: IPL, BCCI retainership, and endorsements.

What is Ishan Kishan’s salary per year?

• BCCI central contract: approximately ₹1 crore annually (before his 2024 drop).
• IPL retainer: he was bought for INR 11.25 crore by SRH in the 2025 mega auction IPL T20 (official league).
• Match fees and bonuses add another ₹50–70 lakh per year when in the national squad.

How much has he earned from IPL?

Here is the breakdown of his IPL contracts by season, showing his rising market value over the years.

Four contracts, one pattern: his value peaked at ₹15.25 crore in 2022—the highest retention price that year. IPL T20 (official league) confirms these figures.

Endorsements

Kishan has endorsement deals with Adidas and Monster Energy, among others. Third-party estimates place his endorsement income at ₹3–5 crore annually, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed. Cricbites (player profile site) suggests a net worth of roughly ₹60–66 crore, while Sports Yaari (biography aggregator) estimates ₹63–70 crore.

The implication for Kishan is that his financial security is already exceptional, but his long-term earning potential hinges on his ability to secure a permanent leadership role, either with SRH or the Indian national team.

Are Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan best friends?

The internet loves a bromance, and Kishan’s bond with Shubman Gill is one of the most documented in Indian cricket. They go back nearly a decade.

How did their friendship start?

• Both were part of the India U-19 squad that won the 2016 World Cup under Kishan’s captaincy.
• They have shared rooms on tours and frequently post Instagram photos of each other.
• Gill was the best man at Kishan’s unofficial wedding? (No—unclear, but their public appearances together are frequent.)

Do they play together in the IPL?

For the 2018–2024 seasons, both played for Mumbai Indians—Gill moved to Gujarat Titans in 2022, but they shared the dressing room for four years. Their on-field partnership for India in ODIs and T20Is is a staple: they have added over 1,200 runs together.

The catch here is that while the media amplifies their bond, the genuine support system it provides Kishan is an understated factor in his successful comeback.

Who will be the captain of SRH in 2026?

The hottest IPL speculation of early 2026 centered on who would lead Sunrisers Hyderabad after Pat Cummins was ruled out of the start of the season due to recovery from injury. The answer came quickly.

Is Ishan Kishan a captaincy candidate?

• Kishan was officially appointed interim captain for the start of IPL 2026 IPL T20 (official league).
• Abhishek Sharma was named his deputy (vice-captain) News18 (Indian news outlet).
• ESPNcricinfo (authoritative cricket journalism) called it a “year of redemption” for Kishan.

What are SRH’s other options?

• Pat Cummins remains the designated long-term captain once fit.
• Abhishek Sharma is seen as the future leader—he is only 25 and already vice-captain.
• The Times of India (major Indian daily) confirmed Kishan’s leadership role until Cummins returns.

The pattern suggests that Kishan’s leadership qualities are being tested at the highest level, and his performance in this role will define his legacy in the IPL.

Where is Ishan Kishan living now?

Kishan splits his time between two cities that represent his roots and his profession.

Inside Ishan Kishan’s house

• He owns a house in Patna, Bihar—his hometown—which was extensively renovated and featured in a 2024 social media tour.
• He also has an apartment in Mumbai’s Bandra area, a common base for IPL players.
• During IPL seasons, he stays in franchise-provided accommodations; SRH players use the Novotel in Hyderabad.

Does he live in Mumbai or Patna?

He divides his time. Patna is home for off-season and family holidays; Mumbai is the training and career base. Hindustan Times (national newspaper) noted his Patna home as a source of pride, with local fans treating him as a hero.

What this means for his identity: Kishan remains deeply connected to his roots, a trait that resonates strongly with his fanbase in Bihar and across India.

Key quotes

“I needed time off to reset mentally. Cricket is my life, but mental health comes first.”

— Ishan Kishan, in an interview with The Indian Express

“We advised him to play domestic cricket to show form and fitness.”

— Anonymous BCCI official, quoted by ESPNcricinfo

“So proud of my man. You are back where you belong.”

— Aditi Hundia, Instagram post (2025)

Kishan’s story—from U-19 captain to India discard to SRH interim leader—is a reminder that in modern cricket, consistency matters as much as talent. For the BCCI, the lesson is that mental health breaks need clearer protocols. For Kishan, the 2026 season is his best shot at proving that his break was a pause, not a full stop. If he leads SRH to a strong start, the captaincy could become permanent. If not, he’ll still walk away as one of the IPL’s most bankable wicketkeeper-batters.

Frequently asked questions