Kolkata: Nearly fourteen years after Ishank Jaggi was named Man of the Match when the Eastern Zone last won the Duleep Trophy, saw 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 playing days, seeing someone he considers a younger brother reach the top gave him more satisfaction.With their similar names, Ishank and Ishan, adding a little coincidence to a bond that has grown from teammates to mentor and student, Jaggi has known Kishan since the latter was around 16 years old. He was one of the young wicketkeeper-batsman’s first senior teammates and over the years their relationship evolved from a locker room partnership 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 frontline view of Kishan’s journey – from an exciting and aggressive young batsman to a more mature all-format cricketer.“Ishan always had that fighting spirit and hunger. That was never lacking. What has changed is the experience and maturity he has acquired,” Jaggi said.Kishan’s difficult spell after losing his place in the Indian team and his central contract with the BCCI in 2024, according to Jaggi, became a major turning point.“Sometimes when you hit rock bottom, you start to think more deeply about your game and your career,” he said. Instead of allowing the setback to derail him, Kishan used that period to work on various aspects of his game. Jaggi said the batsman put considerable effort into his batting, fitness, nutrition and preparation, while developing a better understanding of his own game.Jaggi believes the biggest change has been Kishan’s ability to temper his natural aggression according to the demands of the situation. “He was always seen as an attacking player, but in recent years he has shown that he can also build tackles and play according to what the team requires,” Jaggi said.His time at 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 a stand-in skipper in the absence of Pat Cummins early in the 2026 IPL, something Jaggi believes has accelerated his growth.“Responsibility often helps a player grow,” he said.The results have been visible since Kishan began his comeback through the national routine and then grabbed the opportunities that came his way. His performances eventually brought him back into India’s plans, culminating in his return to the domestic T20 set-up.For Jaggi, however, the journey is both personal and professional.When East Zone reached the final of this year’s Duleep Trophy, someone tagged Jaggi on social media, reminding him of his own Man of the Match performance in the 2012 final. Only then did he realize how striking the parallel was.“I hadn’t really thought about it until someone tagged me,” Jaggi said.Jaggi had won the honor the last time they lifted the trophy in October 2012. Almost fourteen years later, Kishan, the player he has known since his teenage years and later worked with as a coach, produced a winning performance in the final and claimed the same individual award.However, Jaggi insists that he is not living in the past. “I’m more excited about the current team. “My days as a player are over, so there is no point in living in the past,” he said.Instead, his pride is focused on Kishan and the new generation he has seen emerge from Jharkhand.“More than anything, I am happy for Ishan. He is 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 recall the journey from a young player in the dressing room to a cricketer he helped raise away from the limelight.“It gives me immense satisfaction,” Jaggi said.For a coach-mentor who had watched the ups and downs closely, watching Kishan turn adversity into a statement of maturity, and then repeat his own Duleep Trophy Player of the Match feat, made the moment even more special.
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