Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has lavished praise on Ishan Kishan after India registered a comprehensive 61-run win against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday. Kishan scored a brilliant knock of 77 runs off just 40 balls with the help of 10 fours and three sixes.
The left-hander, who has been in fine form, was able to hit the ground running against Pakistan bowlers despite Abhishek Sharma’s early dismissal. Kishan played at the top of his game as he made the most of the field restrictions and completed his fifty off just 27 balls.
The southpaw played an instrumental role in helping India post 175 runs on the board and thus was awarded Player of the Match.
“This will be the innings of his life. The way he batted on this pitch, where there was help for spinners. The ball was stopping on the wicket. Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy was weak. Ishan Kishan won our hearts. There is only one heart, how many times will you win it?” Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube channel.
“If there was someone who could play with such flow on this pitch, was Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav. Suryakumar Yadav scored some 34-35 runs after playing 30 balls, which shows how difficult it was to play the big shots,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma was once again dismissed for a duck as he was caught at mid-on in the first over, which was bowled by Salman Ali Agha. The Turbanator said the southpaw should not get demoralised.
“Abhishek Sharma is a strong player, he should not be demoralised. He was breaking the backs of everyone just a couple of months back, and that time will come again. He should believe in himself. He should learn from these two matches and move forward. We are all with you, the team is with you, the management is with you, the whole nation is with you. We have full faith in Abhishek. He is going to come good in this tournament when Team India needs him the most,” Harbhajan Singh added.
India will next take on the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Wednesday.
