Rohit Sharma and Indian management trusts Ishan Kishan because he can score briskly: Saba Karim

Former selector Saba Karim praised debutant Ishan Kishan for earning the trust of the Indian team management and Rohit Sharma through his relentless dedication to improving his game on all fronts.

Karim acknowledged the pressure on Kishan, who replaced the talented Rishabh Pant. He mentioned how another wicketkeeper KS Bharat struggled when tested in Australian conditions, but Kishan stood up to the challenge and showcased significant improvements in his glove work as he gained experience in Test matches.

"To come in as a replacement to Rishabh Pant is a big ask," said the former Indian selector, during a discussion on the Jio Cinema.

What sets Kishan apart is the realisation that he needs to perform both as a wicketkeeper and as a batter. The young cricketer has delivered on both fronts, showing remarkable progress in his skills, Karim highlighted.

"I think Ishan, when he was picked, he realised very well that he needs to be behind the stump and also score runs with the willow. I think in both these aspects [he has] done quite well and there is a constant improvement," Karim added.

In the second innings of the match, with India five wickets down, Kishan's quickfire 53 off just 34 proved invaluable in helping India set a formidable target. His ability to score briskly has become all the more crucial in the absence of the swashbuckling Rishabh Pant.

Kishan overcame challenges and awaits future contributions

However, Kishan's journey hasn't been without its challenges. In the first Test match, he faced some difficulties in collecting balls but he worked hard on his weaknesses and came back stronger in the second Test.

“We saw that in the first Test match at times, it seemed that he was not able to collect the balls properly, especially against R Ashwin and Jadeja. He has done a lot of homework and he has come back in a much stronger way in the second Test match," Karim spoke of Kishan’s keeping.

“Plus to see him being promoted, given that responsibility and again to see him back with so much freedom goes to show that in this WTC cycle, Rohit Sharma and company have decided to go ahead with Ishan Kishan because he can provide them with those kind of runs in a brisk manner," he concluded.

Overall, Kishan has impressed with his exceptional debut performance. With such a promising start to his Test career, all eyes will be on the youngster to see how he further cements his place in the team and contributes to India's success in the future.