Ishan Kishan on Sunday (July 18) once again proved why he is ranked among the finest batting talents in India.
Featuring in his maiden 50-over match, the southpaw smashed 59 off 42 balls to script India’s thumping seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the ODI series opener in Colombo.
Kishan, who batted at No. 3 position, hit 8 fours and 2 sixes in his dazzling knock while chasing Sri Lanka’s total of 262/9.
Speaking to former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja after the match on Sony Sports Network, Kishan revealed coach Rahul Dravid had told him before the game that he would be batting at one down slot.
"Dravid Sir had already told me during the practice sessions that I will bat at No.3. So whatever practice I had to do with the new ball, obviously I was doing for a long time. It was not something that we decided during the match, it was decided beforehand," Kishan said.
The wicketkeeper-batsman whacked the first delivery he faced from Dhananjaya de Silva for a six and also became the first Indian to score half-centuries on debut in both T20Is and ODIs.
"I told him [Dhawan] to just forget all that and just give me the strike. If I am able to hit it, why not continue hitting," he added.
With this victory, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second game will be played at the same venue on Tuesday (July 20).
