Ishan Kishan announced himself to international cricket with a swashbuckling half-century in his debut T20I clash against England. Ishan Kishan, who is a known name in Indian domestic cricket, got his maiden call-up from Team India for their series against England. 22-year-old southpaw replaced Shikar Dhawan in the starting XI for the second T20I clash, where he bundled up a total of 52 runs off 32 balls which included five fours and four sixes.

IND vs ENG: Ishan Kishan speaks about batting with Virat Kohli

Ishan Kishan’s steady start helped India level up against the visitors 1-1 in the five-match series. After an early dismissal of KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan set-up a match-winning partnership with skipper Virat Kohli. 32-year-old Virat Kohli was constantly seen cheering for the debutant from the other end. The Indian skipper made sure that Ishan Kishan feels his support throughout his innings. Kishan (56) and Kohli (73*) helped India’s chase of 165 runs against England.

Ishan Kishan, in a post-match interview with Yuzvendra Chahal on Chahal TV, revealed that Virat Kohli asked him to raise his bat after he reached the 50-run mark.

“No, I wasn’t nervous. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I had reached my fifty. When Virat Bhai told me ‘Top innings’, that’s when I realised. But after a fifty, I usually don’t raise my bat. Virat bhai ki peeche se awaaz aati hai ‘Oye, chaaro taraf ghoom ke bat dikha. Sab ko bat dikha, pehla match hai tera’ (But Virat Bhai shouted from behind ‘Raise your bat to all four corners of the ground. Show it to everyone it is your first match).’ Only then I raised my bat because I felt it was an order,” Kishan said.


Ishan Kishan also revealed the tips he took while batting alongside the best batsman in the world Virat Kohli. “I was struggling to match his level initially. His energy after hitting a boundary or taking a double is something I had never experienced. But I understood the body language I need to succeed at this level. So I learnt all these little things (while batting with Virat Kohli),” the Kishan said.