Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer reckons Ishan Kishan needs to learn how to convert his starts into big centuries. The southpaw scored three consecutive fifties in the series and became the sixth Indian batter to achieve the landmark. But unfortunately could not convert a single one of them into a big hundred.
The left-hander scored an attacking knock of 77 runs off just 64 balls in the deciding ODI at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on Tuesday. Kishan also added a fine opening alliance of 143 runs with Shubman Gill, the highest for India on the Caribbean shores.
Kishan scored a total of 184 runs in three matches at an impressive average of 61.33 and a blistering strike rate of 111.52. Ergo, he was awarded the Player of the Series award for his consistent performances.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, the cricketer-turned-expert remarked: “Getting three fifties in three games, you would say that he is the third opener in line, and obviously the second wicketkeeper also going forward. He did his chances no harm. But he needs to learn to convert those starts into big hundreds. That’s what the Indian batters need to learn from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.”
On the other hand, Shubman Gill was looking set for a big score in the final ODI but he was dismissed after scoring 85 runs and missed out the chance to complete his century.
“He (Shubman Gill) looked composed and set to get a big hundred. He just slowed down a little bit when Hardik (Pandya) came in. There was a passage of play where India got only 11 runs in five overs. (Gudakesh) Motie bowled really well to him.
“Otherwise, he could have got that hundred and probably got even more. He was probably the more assured out of the guys who got fifties.”
In fact, India posted a gargantuan score of 351 runs on the board but none of their batters could get to the three-digit mark. Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Hardik Pandya all scored half-centuries for the team.
“Getting 350 was obviously positive, but if I can be a little critical, somebody not getting the hundred (could be one of the negatives). Shubman Gill was playing really well. Ishan Kishan missed an opportunity to get 120 or 150. Even Sanju Samson, when he got out, 17-18 overs were left. Batters need to score 120 or 100-plus scores. Against good teams, that becomes a winning thing.”
Meanwhile, West Indies won the first T20I against India by four runs at Trinidad to take a 1-0 lead in the series on Thursday.
