Former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram have heaped praise on Ishan Kishan after the batter’s sensational innings against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. Playing in Pallekele on September 2, Saturday, Kishan rescued the Indian team alongside Hardik Pandya from a top-order collapse. After captain Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli went back to the dugout, Kishan and Pandya dug deep to stabilise the Indian innings and guide them to a 266-run total on Saturday.
Kishan played an aggressive innings, after coming out to bat at No. 5 and scored 82 off 81 balls. Speaking about the batter, former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram said that Kishan will take a lot of confidence from this innings.
“That innings will give Ishan Kishan the confidence that he can bat anywhere in the batting order. No. 4 is the most important position in the batting order in ODI cricket, the way he tackled pace (was great). This is one of the best bowling attacks in the world and the way that he played some shots were great,” Wasim said while speaking on Star Sports after the match.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who has earlier argued for three left handers in the top 7 of the Indian batting line-up, said that this was Ishan’s push for the ODI World Cup 2023 squad.
“As a batsman, you come in with a reputation that you do not get runs against any real sides. You know what, this is a real side. Haris Rauf was great, and so was Shaheen. In his (Ishan) mind, he will go back thinking that these are 3 top bowlers and I played them very comfortably and it will do wonders for his confidence,” Shastri said while speaking on the same panel.
“Ishan Kishan will push (for the ODI World Cup). From India’s point of view, they need to be flexible. You might need one extra left hander against certain sides to make life easier for the right handers. Even though you have a very good player like KL Rahul, India should keep their options open,” he further added.
This was Kishan’s fourth fifty in four consecutive ODI matches. Earlier, he hit three fifties in the West Indies ODI series that India won 2-1 in the Caribbean islands. Ishan opened the bat in tricky conditions and provided the side with a positive start. Against Pakistan however, Kishan played a completely different role and guided India to a safe score in difficult conditions.
