Ishan Kishan opens up on competition with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson for wicketkeeper-batter role

The competition in the Indian team is increasing day by day. While young and emerging players are looking to earn a place in the team, the experienced players lead by example to maintain their spots. But one particular position that has recently seen many changes in the Indian team is that of the wicketkeeper-batter.

Ever since former India skipper MS Dhoni’s retirement from international cricket, the spot has been filled up by several players. Rishabh Pant became a regular figure in the team, but when the second-string Indian side started touring and hosting various nations, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson emerged as potential candidates too.

At the end of the day all of us know that we are going to represent our country: Ishan Kishan

In an exclusive interview with OneCricket, young India star Ishan Kishan revealed his views on the healthy competition in the team and also spoke about the conversations that the wicketkeepers usually have while being with the Indian squad. Ishan revealed that they always play the game with one single motive - winning the game for their country, as he said:

“We just try and help out each other, like how you can be a better player because at the end of the day all of us know that we are going to represent our country. So, if India wins, we’re happy about it. It’s not like I scored a hundred or Sanju scored a hundred or Rishabh scored a hundred. So we just think about helping each other and if we have any doubts, we do talk to each other about it. We don’t look at who is scoring runs. We just want to focus on ourselves, how we can get better day by day and how we can help out country win the game.”

Kishan is currently representing Jharkhand at the Ranji Trophy tournament and notched up a century in the game against Kerala. He continued his form from India vs Bangladesh game, where he scored a record-breaking double ton, but his Ranji Trophy one came in a losing cause. He will likely be seen with the Indian squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka, which comprises three T20Is and as many ODIs.