Ishan Kishan Added More Dynamism To India's Batting Line-up: Michael Atherton

Former England captain Michael Atherton has lauded India’s management for installing Ishan Kishan in the line-up. Ishan Kishan enjoyed an unforgettable debut on Sunday when he struck an explosive fifty to set up India’s win over England in the second T20I in Ahmedabad. Michael Atherton credited Ishan Kishan for helping Virat Kohli rediscover his touch and the youngster for adding more dynamism to India’s batting line-up.

Virat Kohli has endured a lean run of form in the last innings, including managing two consecutive ducks. Nevertheless, with Ishan Kishan playing fearless cricket at the top, the Indian captain took his time to settle and shifted gears. Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan shared a 94-run stand and turned the pressure back on England after they dismissed KL Rahul for a duck. Eventually, Kohli finished unbeaten at 73 off 49 balls to register a seven-wicket win.

Michael Atherton claimed that it was a crucial change for India and stated that Ishan Kishan’s whirlwind knock allowed everyone else to gain confidence. While he agreed that Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are incredible players; however, they play like Virat Kohli. With Kishan at the top, Atherton felt that it added dynamism to the line-up.

“I think it was an important change for them. It’s easy to say that because Kishan got fifty but when someone plays in that manner, someone who is a real dasher, that allows everyone else to play their way. Rohit and Rahul are great players but they play in a similar way to Kohli. Kishan added some more dynamism to this batting line-up,” Atherton told Sky Sports.

I definitely felt this was a more Kohli-like performance: Michael Atherton

Michael Atherton pointed out that the second T20I saw Virat Kohli more in his comfort zone as he did not play any shot out of his character. The Lancashire-born observed that he played more of an orthodox-type knock, getting the fast hands through the ball in the legside shots. Atherton claimed that this was a typical Kohli-type innings.

“He’s very much in his comfort zone, he’s not playing the type of shot he got out to the other day, where he is backing away and trying to manufacture something, he’s just playing a more orthodox type of innings for him, even though he’s still striking quickly and getting those fast hands through the ball in those legside shots that he plays so well. I definitely felt this was a more Kohli-like performance than in the first game,” he added.

Also Read: It Was Beautiful To Watch: Stuart Broad On India’s Batting Performance In The Second T20I Against England