IND vs SA: Can't Ask Them To Drop Rohit Sharma Or KL Rahul And Prefer Me As An Opener: Ishan Kishan

Two thick outside edges provided two of Ishan Kishan’s first three boundaries initially. In the first five overs of India’s innings, he was beaten five times – some due to genuine movement from the pitch, the others due to him attempting to force the issue – but he did not throw it away. He hung in there and didn’t hesitate to take his chances. 

Kishan’s breakthrough came in the ninth over, when he timed a cut shot off a Dwaine Pretorious length delivery to perfection and got it to race past the point fielder. Kishan hammered it past the covers to earn yet another boundary in that over when Pretorious tried to adjust his length. Kishan had just what he needed to break free. 

Ishan Kishan’s Assault On Keshav Maharaj Provide India Perfect Platform

In the 13th over, Ishan Kishan unleashed his entire fury. He backed himself up to match left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj’s angle, and it worked. In the first four deliveries, there were two sixes and two fours. He was holed up in the last ball of the over, attempting to hit another big one, but he had completed his mission.

In the first T20I against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Kishan hammered 76 off 48 balls to provide India the perfect platform on which Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant would weave their magic to help India to 211 for 4 batting first. 

Unfortunately, it was insufficient. South Africa won by seven wickets as David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen put on a show in the second innings, taking full advantage of the improved conditions. 

Rohit Sharma And KL Rahul Are World Class Players: Ishan Kishan

India’s death bowlers may have disappointed, but Kishan remains one of the country’s biggest assets. Despite the fact that he would have to sit out when regulars Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul returned to open the innings, the left-hander gave it his all.

 “I think they (Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul) are world-class players and I won’t ask for my support when they are there in the team. So my job here is to give my best in the practice session.

Whenever I get my opportunity, I have to prove myself or do well for the team. So I focus more than that about my process about what I have to do here,” Ishan said in the post-match press conference on Thursday.

Will Never Ask The Team Management To Pick Me Ahead Of KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma: Ishan Kishan

The 23-year-old Jharkhand cricketer stated that he will never ask the team management to pick him ahead of seasoned players like Rohit and Rahul, who have performed admirably for the country. 

“They have done so much. You know, scored so many runs for our country. I can’t ask them to drop them and make me play in the first place. Yeah I’ll keep doing my thing it’s up to selectors or other coaches whatever they think but my job is to you know just whenever I get my chance I will give my best,” Kishan added. 

Kishan declined to place sole blame on the bowlers, saying that the squad as a whole will work to improve in all areas. 

“We need to address what mistakes we did with the bowling department or if it’s the feeling department, but it’s never any one player who, you know, makes us lose the match. So we’ll figure out everything as a team,” he said. 

Also Read: IND vs SA: Rishabh Pant Joins Virat Kohli In Unfortunate List After Losing First T20I As India Captain