IND vs SA: "There Were Too Many People Watching"- Ishan Kishan Opens Up On Playing At His Home Ground

Ishan Kishan smashed an 84-ball 93 in India’s must-win 2nd ODI against South Africa on Sunday evening, setting the groundwork for a comfortable seven-wicket triumph in Ranchi. Ishan, who plays domestic cricket for Jharkhand, thrilled his home supporters with four fours and seven sixes. 

The 24-year-old was pleased with his contribution as India reached the goal of 279 in 45.5 overs.

Fans Were Asking Me To Get Hundred Today: Ishan Kishan

“(Feeling) Very good, it’s 1-1, very excited to play the decider at Delhi. Really happy about with the way we contributed in the team,” Ishan said during a chat with the broadcasters. 

Ishan Kishan then disclosed that the supporters had asked him to hit a century while India was fielding, and he came close. 

“It is my home ground, there were too many people watching. When I was fielding they were asking me to get hundred today. Unfortunately I missed it but no worries, I’m just happy that my team won the game today and maybe in the next game I will give my best and make my team win again,” he said. 

After India lost two early wickets, Ishan and Shreyas Iyer (113*) joined forces to stabilise the chase and then stitched a mammoth 161-run third-wicket stand that put their team in command. 

It’s Not Easy For The New Batters To Score Runs In Ranchi: Ishan Kishan

Ishan’s power hitting may have made the track appear simple, but he said that it was difficult for a novice hitter and that the aim was to deal with the deliveries on merit. 

“It’s difficult here sometimes because I played so many matches in Ranchi, it is not easy for the new batters to score runs, so we were looking to play according to the merit of the ball and not to play any harsh shots, and it’s a matter of putting the pressure on the other team as well and the positive mindset helped a lot,” he said. 

He added, “(Anrich) Nortje, (Kagiso) Rabada are too quick and sometimes the ball isn’t coming on properly and stopping a touch and the next ball it was coming really quick.

So, I was planning to go for it if it was near my chest and not to play a pre-determined shot if the ball is not there. So I was just trying to put the ball in the gap and it went my way.” 

With the victory, India pulled even in the three-match series, with the last match scheduled for Tuesday. 

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Mohammad Rizwan Discusses His Competition With Suryakumar Yadav As Top T20I Batter