Ishan Kishan was the toast of the Indian innings against Pakistan in their recent match in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday in Kandy, Sri Lanka on September 2nd.
India had won the toss and chosen to bat first. But Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf ripped through the top order with the left-armer removing Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (4).
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya came together at 66/4 and added 138 runs for the fifth wicket as Pakistani spinners failed to stem the flow of runs and even the pacers seemed a bit ineffective against two attacking batters.
Kishan made his fourth consecutive fifty in ODIs and was dismissed by Rauf for 82 runs, while Pandya made 87 runs as India posted 266 runs. However, Pakistan couldn't commence its chase as persistent rain caused the match to be called off.
Former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram have heaped praise on Ishan Kishan after the wicketkeeper-batter's sensational 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 was great," Wasim said on Star Sports.
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 to thinking that these are 3 top bowlers and I played them very comfortably and it will do wonders for his confidence.
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," Shastri said on the same show.
Earlier, he hit three fifties in the West Indies ODI series and was Player of the Series.
