Young Jharkhand wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan, who recently got his maiden India call-up for the ongoing five-match T20I series against England, said that he won't mind batting at any position as he feels more confident playing under pressure.
Ishan Kishan on account of his brilliant performance in the Indian Premier League 2020 (IPL), where he scored 516 runs from the 14 matches he featured, was picked in the Indian T20 squad for a five-match series against England.
However, in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ishan Kishan in Jharkhand’s first match against Madhya Pradesh stole the show as the left-handed batsman scored a stunning 173 runs off 94. His knock of 173 runs included 19 boundaries and 11 sixes.
In an interview with Wisden posted on Mumbai Indians official website, Ishan Kishan said that that having switched between middle-order and top-order, he won't mind batting at any position.
"It's always difficult to make it to the team, but that's how it's always been. I don't mind playing anywhere, having switched between playing in the middle and top-order in my career so far," Ishan Kishan said in an interview with Wisden as quoted by Mumbai Indians.
Kishan said that he feels more confident while playing under pressure. He added that it’s only the hunger and dedication to doing well that helps him.
“I feel more confident to play under pressure and I think the various domestic formats, India A games help you do well in that situation. In the IPL it's important to make the most of an opportunity whenever you get one. It's the hunger and dedication to do well that helps you get across the line," said Ishan Kishan.
Kishan further admitted that his stint with IPL’s most successful franchise Mumbai Indians has played a major role in his development as a cricketer. He added that mentorship from Rohit Sharma and Zaheer Khan has helped him a lot.
"It's amazing to have mentors like Rohit bhai and so many others in the dressing room, you get to learn so much and adapt your game accordingly. The Mumbai Indians stint is the bedrock of my cricket. The mentorship I received from the coaches and Rohit and Zaheer bhai helped me," he concluded.
Ishan Kishan did not get an opportunity to play in the first T20I against England. However, with four games remaining left-handed batsmen will be hoping to make his Indian debut.
(Wisden/MI/ ANI inputs)
