Ishan Kishan’s childhood coach reveals MS Dhoni’s precious words for youngster before his India debut

India opener Ishan Kishan set the stage on fire against Bangladesh in the third and final ODI match when he played a blistering knock of 210 runs from 131 balls. Uttam Majumdar, Ishan’s childhood coach revealed what the 2011 World Cup-winning captain, MS Dhoni, had told the young sensation before his debut with the national side.

The swashbuckling left-hander has flourished into becoming one of the most lethal hitters of the ball in recent times. The 24-year-old’s coach revealed MS Dhoni’s words for the southpaw and his conversation with Ishan’s father during youngster's first training session.

"Even before Ishan made his India debut, I know MS (Dhoni) would tell him that if a talent like him doesn't play for the country for a long time, he will be doing injustice not to anyone else but himself. The first day Ishan came for training, he was so tiny, that I fed him with under-arm balls and that kid played perfect cover drives. The moment I saw a few cover drives from a six-year-old, I told Pranav ji, your son is special and he has to be unlucky if he doesn't play for India,” said Ishan’s childhood coach as quoted by HT.

It hasn't happened overnight: Uttam Majumdar

Uttam was left ecstatic with the sheer dominance displayed by the young sensation against the Bangla Tigers. Ishan smashed 10 sixes and 24 fours in his 210-run innings thereby claiming his maiden international century and becoming the fastest and the youngest player to score an ODI double-century.

"You saw those 10 sixes today and what you must have realised is the kind of power he generates despite such a small frame. It hasn't happened overnight. There would be months of training when he would bat two sessions and play at least 500 to 600 balls at the nets per day. Out of them, at least 200 balls were about dedicated power-hitting,” said an overjoyed Uttam.

"I would make him continuously play big shots and he would never stop till he got it right. He is only 24 but he has seen a fair bit of ups and downs. He is mentally very strong. I always tell him that the past is history. For me, the past has never mattered and that's what I always tell Ishan,” added the coach.