India’s promising youngster Ishan Kishan has revealed that his favorite cricket idol is MS Dhoni and he wants to fill in his big shoes. Dhoni is regarded as one of the most successful Indian skippers, leading India to three ICC events. Dhoni, well known for his guile in crunch situations of the game, was regarded as one of the best wicket-keepers, captains, and a finisher.

On the other hand, Ishan Kishan has impressed in his young International career. Kishan scored a fine knock of 210 runs in the third ODI against Bangladesh in 2022 but he could not get his chance in the series against Sri Lanka.

Kishan got his chance in three-match ODI series against New Zealand but could not deliver the goods in the middle order.

“My favorite cricketing idol while growing up was MS Dhoni. Coming from same place, me also playing for Jharkhand. So I really wanted to fill his shoes and now that I’m here, I’ll make sure that I make my team win many games,” said Ishan in the video on BCCI.

Kishan added that he felt really proud when MS Dhoni autographed his bat when he was 18.

“The one autograph I took was from MS Dhoni when I was 18 years old and finally met him for the first time. I am very proud to have his autograph on my bat,” Kishan said.

Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan is expected to open the innings with Shubman Gill in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. Kishan will look to grab his opportunity at the top of the order for India and he would want to deliver the goods.

The first T20I will be played at Ranchi on Friday.

India’s T20I squad against New Zealand: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Suryakumar Yadav (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Prithvi Shaw, Mukesh Kumar.