IPL 2018: ‘Watch the ball and smack it’ was Ishan Kishan’s motto against KKR

Kishan scored a breathtaking 21-ball 62 against KKR.

Ishan Kishan was in full flow against the KKR | IANS

Ishan Kishan put on a show on Wednesday (May 9) night to help Mumbai Indians register their fifth win in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Kishan scored a blistering 21-ball 62 (5 fours and 6 sixes) that led the foundation for Mumbai’s whopping 102-run victory over KKR.

Kolkata skipper Dinesh Karthik won the toss and invited MI to bat first. Evin Lewis (18 runs off 13 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (36 runs off 32 balls) added 46-run for the opening wicket before Piyush Chawla removed them in quick succession.

After dismissing the Mumbai openers, KKR bowlers must have been heaving a sigh of relief but little did they know that a 19-year-old guy would tear them apart in the subsequent overs. Ishan along with his skipper Rohit Sharma forged a breathtaking 82-run partnership in just 6 overs.

The highlight of Kishan’s jaw-dropping knock was his four consecutive sixes off Kuldeep Yadav that literally blew away Kolkata’s hopes.

Speaking after the match, Kishan said he just wanted to watch the ball and smack it.

“Had a chat with my skipper, he told me to go there and back myself. My plan was to look at the ball till the last moment and keep smacking,” Kishan quoted at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"I think today was my day and I was happy about that. Let's watch the ball and let's keep smacking. I was going on the back foot and wanted to pull. At the end of the day, my plan was to connect the ball well and I am happy I did that," he added.

In this season of IPL, Kishan has batted at different positions for Mumbai. When asked about his preferred spot in the batting line-up, the teenager said he is happy to adapt as per the team’s need.

"I just wanted to look at the ball and keep smacking it. You have to believe in yourself, back your strengths. I'm okay batting anywhere," he concluded.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 10 May, 2018

    Share Via