IND vs PAK: Suresh Raina Wants Ishan Kishan To Open For India, Says 'I Always Said That He Has To Open Because...'

Former India all-rounder, Suresh Raina backed Ishan Kishan and wanted him to open for Team India since the 25-year-old Indian player has a strong character which helps to maintain a good atmosphere.

In India’s first match in Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan on Saturday (September 2nd) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Ishan Kishan played a stupendous inning and scored 82 runs after coming at number 5. Unfortunately, his efforts went in vain as the match was cancelled without any result due to heavy rain.

While speaking on JioCinema, Suresh Raina praised Ishan Kishan for his strong character which helped the team start an inning with a good atmosphere.

Raina also compared him with Rishabh Pant and said that Kishan loves to laugh and maintain a good team bonding just like the Delhi Capitals skipper.

“I always said that Ishan Kishan has to open up because he is a strong character who maintains a good team atmosphere. I told (Aaron) Finch that if Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum aren’t playing, then Ishan Kishan should open.

“I’ll bat at No. 3, and you can decide the rest of the batting line-up. I remember in one match, he hit four sixes in Rajkot against Mumbai Indians, and the way he showed intent is what a team needs. Just like Rishabh Pant, who keeps laughing and maintains good team bonding, that’s what’s crucial,” Suresh Rain said.

MS Dhoni told me to observe his wicketkeeping progress: Suresh Rain on Ishan Kishan

Suresh Rain added that Ishan Kishan once spoke to MS Dhoni since both of them come from Ranchi. Raina stated that the former India skipper asked him to keep looking at Ishan Kishan’s wicketkeeping progress as his contribution to the Jharkhand team in domestic cricket in India.

“Since he (Ishan) hails from Ranchi, he spoke to MS Dhoni, and everyone wants to be like Dhoni there. Also, because of the way Ishan contributed to Jharkhand, Dhoni told me to observe his wicketkeeping progress,” Rain added.

Rohit Sharma-led India will play against Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka in the fourth Super Fours match of Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday (September 12th) at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.