Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. (Photo Source: Luke Walker-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
There is no doubt that the current Indian team is filled with rising stars. With a plethora of youngsters brimming with talent, the future of the Indian team surely looks bright. Just like Shubman Gill, who has cemented his place in the national team across all formats, Ishan Kishan is one youngster who aims to do so as well.
The 25-year-old made his Test debut for India in the first Test of the ongoing multi-format series against the West Indies. With the bat, Kishan did not get the chance to feature as much, as he was unbeaten at one run when the Indian team decided to declare.
However, behind the stumps, Kishan showed his class. Exuding class and confidence, the 25-year-old did a commendable job behind the stumps, and skipper Rohit Sharma was of a similar opinion. The skipper opined that Kishan gets full freedom to play his natural game and that the Indian team will look to give him opportunities to play his natural game.
“Ishan is a very talented player. We have seen it in the short career that he has had for India. He scored a double hundred in limited overs. He has the game, we have the responsibility to chisel that talent. We have to give him opportunities. He is a left-handed batter. He likes playing aggressive cricket. I have had clear discussions with him, I have explained to him how the team management wants him to play. He has been given freedom. He has the game, he needs the freedom and we will give him the opportunity,” Rohit Sharma was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
I was very impressed with his keeping skills: Sharma
Furthermore, Rohit Sharma also lauded Kishan for his extraordinary keeping skills in the first Test, where the pitch was unpredictable but the stumper made little to no mistakes.
“I would like to speak specifically about his wicket-keeping. He kept really, really well considering he played his first Test and to keep against Ashwin and Jadeja where the ball is turning and bouncing and some balls keeping low as well… I was very impressed with his keeping skills. Unfortunately he got to score just one run as we had to declare. We want our top-order batters bat long. If the opportunity comes (to bat long), he (Ishan) is raring to go,” Rohit added.