BEFORE going out to bat in his debut ODI against Sri Lanka, young Ishan Kishan had announced in the dressing room that he would hit the first ball for a six, irrespective of the bowler and where the ball would be pitched.
And he did what he had promised, by hitting a six off Dhananjaya de Silva, the home team's off-spinner in Colombo on Sunday (18).
Kishan, who celebrated his 23rd birthday with a smashing 42-ball-59, told teammate Yuzvendra Chahal on BCCI.TV that he had a fair idea that the surface was not providing enough assistance to slow bowlers.
"I kept (wickets) for 50 overs and understood that the track didn't have much help for the spinners. So, I was determined that wherever the bowler pitches, I would hit him for a six. I had told that to everyone in the dressing room before going out to bat," Kishan said.
Asked why he was looking to hit every ball out of sight during the initial phase, the Jharkhand keeper-batter said it was because of the confidence he had gained while batting in the nets in the run-up to the series.
"Practice is very important and I was in good touch during the net sessions. The pitch on which we practised was also of similar nature. So, since I was connecting well, I didn't have to do anything different. Just execute it in the match situation. No change in game-plan. If I have a ball on my radar, I will hit it," Kishan said.
He also said getting the India cap from skipper Shikhar Dhawan was indeed a special moment.
"There can't be a prouder moment than receiving your India cap. I was cherishing it and all my friends in the team also wanted that I get the cap.
"It was a special feeling when my teammates shook hands. Also, you know your family is also watching and it's a big occasion for them," Kishan said.
John Denham
