Ishan Kishan smashed his maiden T20I hundred — being adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ — as India defeated New Zealand by 46 runs in the fifth and final match, securing the series 4-1 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
The 27-year-old from Jharkhand, though, is not willing to count the accolades yet but has is focus firmly on the T20 World Cup.
Ishan, when asked about his knock, revealed that he just aimed to watch the ball and play accordingly.
“Honestly, not much. I felt the ball was doing a bit early on, but batting alongside Abhishek Sharma really helps. You see his intent, you understand the momentum the team needs, and then you just try to watch the ball and play accordingly. That approach worked well
for me today,” Ishan Kishan said at the post-match presentation.
As for his mindset when approaching personal milestones, Ishan said that the plan is always to go for runs, even when nearing a milestone; if the ball is there, you go for it and focus on winning games.
“I think that’s the mindset of everyone in our team now. Even if you’re close to a milestone, it doesn’t really matter. If you start taking singles at that stage, you might feel later that you missed an opportunity to go big. So if the ball is there to hit, you have to go for it. The focus is on winning matches, not personal milestones,” he said.
As for whether he finds his satsfying to score the runs and win matches for the team, Ishan said that he is not yet at his absolute best, but his focus is on the World Cup, and he wants to maintain this form for the bigger competition as well.
“I still feel I’m not there yet. Yes, I’ve done well and I’m getting these awards, but my focus is firmly on the World Cup. That’s where the extra effort is needed. What’s important is carrying this form forward and continuing to contribute there,” Ishan Kishan said.
How India Beat New Zealand?
Choosing to bat, Ishan hammered 10 sixes and six fours in his 43-ball 103, while Suryakumar Yadav scored a 30-ball 63 embellished with four boundaries and six sixes, propelling India to a formidable 271/5 from their 20 overs. Hardik Pandya also contributed with some powerful hitting, scoring 42 off 17 balls.
In response, New Zealand were bowled out for 225 in 19.4 overs, with opener Finn Allen making a 38-ball 80. Arshdeep Singh (5/51) and Axar Patel (3/33) starred with the ball.
(With inputs from Agencies)
