Former Indian spinner and commentator Murali Kartik has heaped praise on India’s No.3 batter Ishan Kishan for his consistent run in the shortest format of the game. Notably, Kishan scored 42 runs off 33 balls in the 157-run chase in the first T20I against Afghanistan on Sunday, September 13, in Delhi.
Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Kartik asserted that Kishan is one of the very few batters to find a way to get runs at the moment, adding that he loves to make bowlers pay if they bowl to his strengths.
“He has been a modicum of consistency for India. Just look at what he has been doing from the time he has come back into the side. He has been phenomenal. He is one of those who have found a way to get runs now. The initial impetuousness that he had when he was in the Indian team before; now the transformation has been heartening to see,” Murali Kartik said.
“Some of the shots that he plays and some of the control that he has over most of the shots, there are certain no-go areas as a bowler to him. Don’t go into his hips, don’t bowl short, don’t bowl wide; he has got such fast hands, he is going to hurt you every day,” he added.
Kishan was eventually caught by Rashid Khan at long-on off Mohammad Nabi’s bowling while attempting to hit a six to score the winning runs. Delving into the details of the first T20I, Afghanistan was tasked to bat first, and they posted 156/8 in 20 overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai was the top scorer with an unbeaten 64-run knock. Arshdeep Singh scalped a three-fer. In the second innings, India went past the winning line in 13.4 overs, winning the game by seven wickets. Abhishek Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief with an 82-run knock off 32 balls with seven fours and as many sixes as India took a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.
