I Had Already Told Everyone That I Will Hit It For A Six - Ishan Kishan On His First Ball Six

Skipping down the track and whacking Dhananjaya de Silva for a maximum – it was all predetermined for Ishan Kishan. The 23-year-old who made his ODI debut on Sunday against Sri Lanka revealed that he had already decided, and even announced in the dressing room, that he was going to hit the first ball he faces in ODI cricket for a six.

Ishan Kishan was given his maiden ODI cap in the first ODI in Colombo, which India won comfortably by 7 wickets. He had also started his T20I career with a four on his first ball, against England in March, and hit a fifty then.

On Sunday, the diminutive southpaw went one better as he thumped Dhananjaya straight back over his head for a six to commence his 42-ball 59-run blast.

Ishan Kishan said he was confident about his chances of clearing the fence – with the pitch and the coincidence of making his ODI debut on his birthday emboldening him to take that route.

“Actually, everyone knew it, inside also I had already told everyone that once I go, wherever the first ball is, I will hit it for a six. Because the odds were in my favor – birthday plus a good pitch and I was playing my first ODI and I felt I could target him,” Ishan Kishan said after the match.

“The most special thing was that it was my birthday and I was playing my first ODI. Everyone asks for a return gift, so I always wanted to give it by playing a good knock and helping the team win.”

He became the second Indian to make his ODI debut on his birthday. Gursharan Singh made his ODI debut against Australia on his 27th birthday in 1990.

Dravid Sir had already told me that I will bat at No.3: Ishan Kishan

The Jharkhand wicket-keeper revealed that Rahul Dravid, the coach on the tour, had already told him that he will be batting at number 3 in the ODI.

“Dravid Sir had already told me during the practice sessions that I will bat at No.3. So whatever practice I had to do with the new ball, obviously I was doing for a long time. It was not something that we decided during the match, it was decided beforehand,” he added. 

The second ODI is scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.

Also Read: India Equal Record For Most ODIs Wins Against A Single Opponent After Thumping Win In First ODI vs Sri Lanka