Ishan Kishan's ability to trust himself to hit big sixes irrespective of the ball sets him apart: Dinesh Karthik

Indian wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has praised Ishan Kishan for his outstanding debut performance against England in 2nd T20I. Kishan, 22, played a superb knock of 56 runs from just 32 balls to help India come back in the series. Ishan’s knock was indeed important from an Indian perspective as they had lost the experienced opener, KL Rahul, in the first over. 

Dinesh Karthik pointed out the attributes of Kishan’s knock which he liked. Karthik had some special words for the young batsman. He said that Kishan’s ability to trust him hit long sixes with confidence is what sets him apart from everyone else. He also said that the type of batting that Kishan displayed was exactly what India needed during the powerplay overs. 

You want somebody like that at the top of the order: Dinesh Karthik 

Even after losing the wicket of KL Rahul, India was at 0 for 1 after the first over. But, Kishan’s counter attacking batting helped India score 50 runs in the next five powerplay overs, to put the pressure back on the England bowlers. He hit five fours and four sixes during his knock. And by the time Kishan was dismissed India had reached 94 for 2 after 10 overs. 

“Some brilliant shots. The way he started, the confidence, the poise. His ability to trust himself to hit those big sixes irrespective of the ball being bowled is what sets him apart. That’s what a power player is; you want somebody like that at the top of the order who can put pressure on the bowlers. I thought he put pressure from ball one on Jofra, and that’s a good sign.” Karthik said in a chat on Sky Sports.

The Tamil Nadu captain also pointed out that Kishan’s batting style falls in synchronization with what Kohli would want from a partner. “The key to India winning games is Kohli, and a person like Kohli will revel batting with a person like Ishan Kishan,” Karthik added. The partnership between the two yielded 94 runs from 54 balls, setting up the chase perfectly for India. Kohli ended with an unbeaten 73 from 49 balls, finishing the chase with a six.