Kolkata: Young wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, whose batting pyrotechnics played a part in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) massive victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens Wednesday night, has credited skipper Rohit Sharma for backing him despite his repeated failures.
After some below-par outings, Kishan’s day of reckoning finally came with the 19-year-old smashing a brilliant 62 off just 21 balls to help Mumbai Indians very much in the play-offs hunt.
“Rohit bhaiya told me to just back yourself and attack. When your skipper and teammates are backing you, it’s just about playing your natural game,” Ishan said after MI thrashed KKR by 102 runs.
Kishan came into the crease when MI looked in disarray at 62/2 in nine overs. The diminuitive left-hander then tore apart the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Piyush Chawla and Sunil Narine to help the defending champions post an imposing 210/6.
“The coach also said in the time out that just be yourself, back yourself. We need some good hits today (Wednesday). Rohit bhaiya also said the same,” Kishan informed.
“They knew that if I remained there I can get a lot of runs. I just had to look at the ball till the last moment and keep it going.”
Kishan was most cruel against Kuldeep when he hit the left-arm chinaman for four consecutive sixes in the 14th over and in the process notched up his fifty in 17 balls, the joint second fastest half-century of the season.
“Kuldeep is outgoing for me (the one that turns away from me) but he loves to bowl the googly at me. I’ve played him earlier as well. I knew he would look to get me stumped by bowling outside off. My target was if the ball was in my arc, just get the ball out of the park,” Kishan said about his strategy.
I also get lots of tips from Dhoni bhai. He keeps telling me to take time and just read the situation and how to build my innings. I feel confident when these guys talk to me
Ishan Kishan
Press trust of india