Facing Quality Pacers In IPL Helped Me On India Debut: Ishan Kishan

India’s young gun and latest sensation Ishan Kishan announced his arrival in international cricket in style as he struck a blistering half-century in the second T20I against England in Ahmedabad. Ishan Kishan’s 32-ball 56 was one of the innings that set up India’s victory as they bounced back from an eight-wicket drubbing in the first T20I. The southpaw revealed that having played quality pacemen in IPL gave him confidence.

Ishan Kishan has been with the Mumbai Indians for quite some time; however, the last season turned out to be the best for him. The southpaw smashed the most sixes and hammered 516 runs in 14 matches at 57.33 alongside four half-centuries. Kishan’s 32-ball 56 contained five fours and four massive sixes, adding 94 with Virat Kohli even as the hosts lost KL Rahul in the first over for a duck.

Ishan Kishan underlined that facing bowlers like Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah helped a lot since they are pacy bowlers and hitting shots against them gives confidence. With top-notch pacemen bowling regularly in the extravaganza, batsmen get used to it. Kishan said that it indeed helped a plenty.

“It obviously helped (to face the likes of Mumbai Indians teammates Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah) in the nets. They are very pacy bowlers and to hit shots against them gives confidence. In IPL you get to face quality bowlers from across the world and you start getting used to these bowlers. And I think that really helped me,” Kishan said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

I was told not to take extra pressure: Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan claimed that the management told him not to take extra pressure and play freely as he plays in IPL without taking extra pressure. However, the Bihar-born cricketer was slightly nervous due to his inaugural international match. But Kishan stated that when one wears the country’s jersey, the pressure disappears and tries to give their best.

“Before the match, I was told to go and open the innings and play freely the way I play in IPL. I was told not to take extra pressure. But it being my first game I was a little nervous while going at the ground. But when you wear the jersey of your country that pressure simply goes away and you try to give your best,” he added.

Also Read: Afghanistan Announces 15-Man T20I Squad For Zimbabwe Series