After showing signs of struggle in last week’s T20I series against West Indies, young India opener Ishan Kishan bounced back with a stunning punch in Thursday’s opener against Sri Lanka in Lucknow, India in the third A big win in a T20I race coming back from 89.
Kishan had 10 overs and three sixes for a 56-run 89, the highest score ever by an Indian wicketkeeper batsman over Rishabh Pant in the T20I innings.
Despite losses and records, former India captain Sunil Garvaska believes the youngster needs to show consistency if he is to find a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Gavaskar felt the condition of the first T20I helped Ishan’s shot, while welcoming some of his kicks and pulls and his shot at Lucknow.
“The way he hit the ball today definitely gave clues. But it was only the first game. In all three games against West Indies he wasn’t very good. That length, speed and bounce were all different. The jumps here are under the shoulders, towards the center of the crack, which is easier for him. But didn’t take anything away from his innings, some of the drives and pulls he hit were great, but it was an inning. Let’s wait for consistency. Let’s wait a few games,” he told Star Sports.
At the start of the West Indies streak, Ishan had 71 runs in three innings to open the game with an 85 batting average. The legendary batsman believes that once Ishan shows signs of stability, he can make it to the Indian squad as he offers more teams.
“Once there is consistency, you can say ‘that’s the guy we want’ because he gives you three things – he’s a goalie, he’s a southpaw, he can hit the ball at the top and in the innings, Not at 5 or 6.”
Kishan’s knock helped India set a 200-run goal in the series opener, with Shreyas Iyer also hitting 28 balls 57.
Sri Lanka were limited to six out of 137, while India won by 62.
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