IND vs SL: “Had already told everyone that I will hit the first ball for a six” – Ishan Kishan

IND vs SL: “Had already told everyone that I will hit the first ball for a six” – Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan

Young batter Ishan Kishan had a brilliant One Day International (ODI) debut during the first match between India and Sri Lanka on Sunday. The 23-year-old played a destructive knock of 59 runs off just 42 balls. Moreover, Ishan made his inning special while smashing the first ball he faced for a six.

Ishan Kishan revealed that he had already everyone in the dressing room that he will go for a first-ball six. During a post-match virtual interaction with Sony Sports, Kishan said:

“Actually, everyone knew it, inside also I had already told everyone that once I go, wherever the first ball is, I will hit it for a six. Because the odds were in my favour – birthday plus a good pitch and I was playing my first ODI and I felt I could target him.”

The southpaw also celebrated his 23rd birthday on Sunday which made his knock even more memorable for him. Kishan highlighted that his knock was a return gift for the team from his side. 

“The most special thing was that it was my birthday and I was playing my first ODI. Everyone asks for a return gift, so I always wanted to give it by playing a good knock and helping the team win,” he added.

“Dravid Sir had confirmed my batting position during practice sessions” 

Ishan Kishan and Rahul Dravid
Ishan Kishan and Rahul Dravid

Ishan Kishan reckoned that the team’s head coach for this series, Rahul Dravid had already told him to bat at number three during the practice sessions.

“Dravid Sir had already told me during the practise 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 Jharkhand cricketer concluded the interview by sharing the light-hearted conversation he had with skipper Shikhar Dhawan in the middle.

“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 signed off.

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