Ishan Kishan can be India’s next Virender Sehwag, says childhood coach Uttam Mazumdar

Ishan Kishan (Photo source: ICC via Getty Images)

Ishan Kishan made his Test debut for India in July 2023 against West Indies, appearing in two matches during that series. The Jharkhand batter has since returned to India’s white-ball setup after strong domestic performances. Kishan currently leads East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, continuing his development as a cricketer across formats. His T20 credentials remain strong, with the batter becoming the fourth Indian to score an ODI double century when he struck 210 against Bangladesh in December 2022, joining an elite group alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma.

Uttam Mazumdar, Kishan’s childhood coach, has expressed strong belief in the batter’s potential at the highest level. According to Mazumdar, Kishan possesses the qualities needed to become a transformative Test player for India. The coach has observed Kishan’s evolution across formats and remains convinced of his capacity to succeed in the longest format.

“Ishan Kishan will be the next Virender Sehwag for Team India. He is a world champion in T20 and he has proved that he is a match-winner and one of the most destructive batters at present in the world,” said Mazumdar to myKhel.

Why Mazumdar believes Kishan can match Sehwag’s legacy

Mazumdar highlighted Sehwag’s lasting impact on Test cricket and the standard Kishan could aspire to match. The former India opener fundamentally changed how batters approached the longest format, setting a template for aggressive batting that influenced generations of cricketers. Mazumdar explained the significance of Sehwag’s contribution to Indian cricket

“Today there are a lot of aggressive batters, but Sehwag was the pioneer. He changed how people perceived Test-match batting. Ishan has the ingredients to play that kind of cricket,” Mazumdar said.

The coach drew parallels between Kishan’s destructive approach in shorter formats and the kind of aggressive mindset that could revolutionise his Test career.

ICAL’s role in developing India’s next generation

Beyond his assessment of Kishan’s potential, Mazumdar has launched the Indian Cricket Academy League (ICAL), an initiative designed to bridge the gap between academy-level cricket and competitive cricket. The league aims to provide structured pathways for emerging talent across India. Registration for ICAL opened in September, with trials and camps scheduled for October and November. The initiative reflects Mazumdar’s broader commitment to developing the next generation of Indian cricketers through organised competitive structures.