Jharkhand Coach Ratan Kumar Explains Why Ishan Kishan Stands Out As Leader, Backs Him To Lead India: Exclusive

Ratan Kumar backed Ishan Kishan to lead Team India |courtesy – Jharkhand Cricket | AI ENHANCED GRAPHIC

Ishan Kishan's comeback has been the story of 2026, as after spending two years in exile, he has returned and taken the stage by storm for Team India. Few people have seen the journey up close, such as Ratan Kumar, who is the head coach of the Jharkhand team and was also in charge of the East Zone side, which won the Duleep Trophy after 13 years last month.

Ratan was with the team in the 2024-25 season as a batting coach, which was the first since Ishan was dropped from Team India and removed from the central contracts. The 43-year-old later took charge as head coach ahead of the 2025-26 season, in which Ishan led the state to their maiden Syed Musthaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title.

Speaking exclusively to Sports Now in an interaction held days after the Duleep Trophy final last month, Ratan stated that Ishan had matured a lot in the time and claimed that he reworked his training processes during the time he was not part of the Indian team.

"He has matured significantly. When you talk to him…

Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports