Ishan Kishan was bought by MI for INR 15.25 crores in IPL 2022 auction.
Keeper-batter Ishan Kishan broke the bank during the IPL 2022 mega auction as Mumbai Indians bought him back for INR 15.25 crores, making him the most expensive buy of the event and the second-most expensive Indian player bought in an auction ever.
Although it was a grand homecoming for the 23-year-old Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, Ishan admitted that he was a bit worried during the IPL auction bidding war, saying that his heart had skipped a beat.
In an interview to the Times of India, Ishan Kishan revealed that he was tensed during the auction, especially when his name came up for bidding, despite knowing that MI wanted him back, but as the bids increased in value, he was a bit iffy if MI would spend that amount of money of him.
“I knew MI would go for me. That wasn't the worrying bit. The worrying part was the rising price because MI needed to save on money to build the rest of the team. It wasn't just about me. For a minute there, I must admit, my heart skipped a beat,” he said.
“Never once has it crossed my mind that I want his place”: Kishan on competition with Pant
“There's a reason why I wanted to come back to MI. They know me, they understand my game and I know my franchise and how it works. Because I've been part of this family, I was sure I didn't want to go anywhere else. I've been here four years and the bonding has been amazing. We've won two trophies, stood for each other and with each other, they know my cricket and I know they will take care of me. So, I didn't want to go anywhere else," he added.
Kishan had made his Indian Premier League debut for Gujarat Lions in 2016 and was then bought by Mumbai Indians in 2018 when he was roped in for NR 6.2 crores.
In 41 innings for the franchise, he scored 1133 runs at 31.5 and with a strike rate of 138.5. In the 2020 season of the IPL, Ishan had finished as the highest run-getter for Mumbai, scoring 516 runs in 14 games.
“The franchise has always been very helpful, has backed me and worked on me. I can never have complaints. All I need to do is work hard on my game, reciprocate by playing good cricket. The way they've put their belief in me and invested in my future, all I need to do is follow the processes that have been laid out,” he added.
(Times of India inputs)