Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra reckons Ishan Kishan has done well under pressure for the Indian team. In the absence of unfit KL Rahul, Kishan grabbed his opportunity with both hands in the big clash against Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup at Pallekele on Saturday.
India was under pressure at 66-4 but Ishan Kishan played with aplomb against Pakistan spinners – Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. Kishan was able to absorb the pressure and resurrected India’s innings after early damage was done by Pakistan’s pacers.
Kishan completed his seventh ODI fifty as he batted at the top of his game. The left-hander scored 82 runs off just 81 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes. The southpaw also added a fine alliance of 138 runs off just 142 balls with Hardik Pandya, who scored a brilliant knock of 87 runs.
This was Kishan’s fourth consecutive fifty in the 50-overs format after his fine show in the three-match ODI series against the West Indies.
With KL Rahul reported to regain full fitness, it will be interesting to note India’s playing XI against Pakistan.
“Ishan Kishan doesn’t get many opportunities, but when he does, there’s pressure on him. He has scored a double century, and even after that, we don’t see him getting many chances, which is a fact because he wasn’t included in the very next series after his double century. Where Ishan will bat in this team is a separate issue, dependent on various circumstances but he has understood the pulse of the ODI format,” Chopra said on Jio Cinema ahead of the Super 4 clash.
Chopra added it will be crucial for the team management to build the right atmosphere in the dressing room in order to get the best out of the team.
“Somewhere in the tournament, an atmosphere is created where you start looking after each other, and there is a quiet confidence, a belief that we will do it, we will win. It quietly builds up, I mean, no one has a magic wand to make it happen, but it happens. So I feel that when the Indian team starts playing in the World Cup, that atmosphere will be created,” Chopra further added.
India will face Pakistan in their next Super Fours stage match at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday.
