Former legendary cricketers Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram lauded Ishan Kishan after his heroic innings against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. On Saturday, Kishan did repair work for the Indian team alongside Hardik Pandya after India’s top order collapsed at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Post losing the wickets of captain Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, Kishan and Pandya helped India post a 266-run total on Saturday.
Ishan came out to bat at number 5 and went on to make 82 off 81 balls. Talking about his batting, former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram said that Kishan will gain a lot of confidence from this inning.
"That innings will give Ishan Kishan the confidence that he can bat anywhere in the batting order. No. 4 is the most important position in the batting order in ODI cricket, the way he tackled pace (was great). This is one of the best bowling attacks in the world and the way that he played some shots were great," Wasim said while speaking on Star Sports after the match.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also said that on the back of this innings, Ishan has pushed himself for the ODI World Cup 2023 squad.
"As a batsman, you come in with a reputation that you do not get runs against any real sides. You know what, this is a real side. Haris Rauf was great, and so was Shaheen. In his (Ishan) mind, he will go back thinking that these are 3 top bowlers and I played them very comfortably and it will do wonders for his confidence," Shastri said.
"Ishan Kishan will push (for the ODI World Cup). From India's point of view, they need to be flexible. You might need one extra left-hander against certain sides to make life easier for the right-handers. Even though you have a very good player like KL Rahul, India should keep their options open," he further added.
This was Ishan’s fourth consecutive half-century in a 50-over format. Previously, he smashed three fifties in the West Indies ODI series that India ended up winning by 2-1 in the Caribbean islands.