Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja showered praise on Ishan Kishan after New Zealand secured a seven-wicket win against India at the Seddon Park, Hamilton in the fifth T20I on Sunday.
Kishan scored an impressive knock of 61 runs off just 32 balls, including five fours and as many sixes. He scored his runs at a strike rate of 190.62 as he batted at the top of his game. Thus, he played a key role in helping India post 191 runs on the board after the visitors lost two early wickets.
“He is making history. The consistency is being spoken about. Who used to play at this number for the Indian team before him? You replaced such a legendary player, and you don’t even think you have to do the job he used to do,” Ajay Jadeja said on Sony Sports.
Jadeja hailed Kishan for making a solid comeback and delivering the goods while batting at one drop.
“You are seeing the numbers, but Virat Kohli was this team’s pillar at No. 3 for the last few years, around whom they used to play. There has been a change from the way the team used to play in his time, and he (Kishan) has shown this consistency despite that. A player at No. 3 has to play both ways. It’s been an incredible comeback,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane said Kishan has made a few technical adjustments in his game, which is helping him reap rewards.
“He has made a few technical adjustments, but I think there has been a change in his mindset. He was dropped, went and played domestic cricket, and made a comeback after that. A player becomes different when he comes after performing in domestic cricket,” he said.
“The freedom with which he played is extremely necessary. His has been an excellent story. He has scored 1,220 runs this year. If I talk about today’s innings, the game changed completely after the six he hit over point. He returned in the last match from injury and wasn’t looking in that rhythm, but a batter needs one shot to get his confidence, and he didn’t look back after that,” Rahane observed.
India will now take on New Zealand in a five-match ODI series.
