'You Are Selected As An Opener For India'- Ishan Kishan Reveals How Virat Kohli Motivated Him Through His Lean Patch

Mumbai Indians (MI) opener Ishan Kishan was delighted with his blazing knock versus the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) which helped MI to a 42-run win on Friday in Abu Dhabi. However, Rohit Sharma’s side bowed out of the competition courtesy of a lower net run rate than KKR.

Ishan Kishan started off his knock with a first-ball six. He blasted 84 runs off 32 balls in an innings laced with 11 fours and 4 sixes. The opener’s assault took MI to 83 in the powerplay and 120 in just 9 overs, setting up the platform for Suryakumar Yadav to finish off with 82 off 40 balls, taking MI to 235.

He hit fifty off 25 balls in the last game versus Rajasthan too. This was after he returned to the side, having been dropped earlier due to poor form. The 23-year-old was pleased to have found back his touch ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“A very good thing for me and for the team getting some runs, and getting into good touch before the World Cup. Was in good state mind of mind, was very positive. We had to get somewhere around 250-260, it was the intent and positive intent. The one I smacked Malik through the covers – that’s the one (his favourite shot),” Ishan Kishan said at the post-match presentation.

Virat bhai said – ‘you are selected as an opener’: Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan struggled in the season in Chennai and in the early part of the UAE leg as well when the pitches were slow, low; it was also while he was batting in the middle-order. He was promoted to the top of the order in the last two games and slammed two dazzling fifties.

The left-hander also revealed that Virat Kohli had told him that he has been selected as an opener in the T20 World Cup squad. He also talked about how he and others around him helped him when he was struggling.

“In this tournament, you have to be prepared for every circumstance. It’s important to be in the right mindset and you need to go with your best form. I had a good chat with Virat bhai, Jasprit bhai also helped me. Even HP, KP were there to support me. Everyone supported me and they said it’s a learning stage for you, make sure you learn from here and don’t make the same mistakes in the upcoming WC games.

“That was the part where I learned from them. I was just taking one point at a time. I would love to open and that’s what Virat bhai said – ‘you are selected as an opener, you just have to be prepared for that.’ In the bigger stage, you need to be prepared for every situation,” the Jharkhand wicketkeeper added.

Delhi Capitals will face Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 on Sunday and Royal Challengers Bangalore will meet Kolkata Knight Riders in Eliminator on Monday.

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