AHMEDABAD: Young batsman Ishan Kishan, who had a dream start to his international career on Sunday during India’s emphatic seven-wicket win over England in the second T20I, has revealed that Rohit Sharma came up to him before the match to ask him to play freely and not take any pressure.
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Kishan’s 56, along with an unbeaten 73 from skipper Virat Kohli, helped India chase down the 165-run target with utmost ease here at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
“As a cricketer, many people are there who play different roles to help you succeed. Rohit Bhai told me before the match that you will open, play freely as you do in the IPL,” said Kishan replying to an ANI query during a virtual press conference after the match.

“He told me to stay clear. Obviously, I was nervous when I went out there, but at the end of the day, when you see the flag of your country and you are wearing the national jersey, all you want to do is give your best.”
Kishan dedicated his knock to his coach’s father, who died recently.
“This innings is for my coach’s dad who passed away a few days ago. I was speaking to him (coach) and he wanted me to score a century for his dad,” said Kishan after the match on Sunday.

When asked how he feels to see other young players (Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar) perform well in the national colours, Kishan said: “I get happy when I see the U-19 guys performing well, it is always a proud moment to see them perform. When I go out there in the middle, I always think about how I can improve myself. I just think about how I can get better with each passing day.
“As the level keeps on increasing in your cricket, there is no fixed spot for you. You keep on floating. I do not think about any number, I just do what the team requires.”

Answering a question on whether the team changed anything after the loss in the first T20I, the left-handed batsman replied: “I think there was nothing to be changed after the first game. We had a bad game but still, you have to stick to the process which we have decided. We have to stick to our plans. There were small things which we took care of and we did not change anything from the first T20I.”
The third T20I will be played on Tuesday.