'These next two games are going to be critical for him' - Dinesh Karthik warns under-performing Ishan Kishan

Dinesh Karthik has urged the young Indian batter Ishan Kishan to capitalize on the opportunities across formats. With Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson sidelined, and KL Rahul not available, the youngster is enjoying a good run in India's white-ball teams. Notably, Kishan also got his maiden call up for the Test series against Australia which is scheduled to happen next month.

But the 24-year-old wicketkeeper is failing to make an impact since his famous double ton in ODIs against Bangladesh in December 2022. He smashed the fastest double century in ODI history but struggled to build momentum on that knock.

Ishan was bowled out on just four runs in the first T20I against New Zealand after scoring just 40 runs from three T20Is against Sri Lanka. He scored just 30 runs from three ODIs against the Kiwis and now grabs unwanted criticism from the fans and cricket fraternity. Karthik pointed out that the youngster hasn't scored a fifty in his last 11 innings despite opening in all games in T20Is in Asian conditions.

“One player who has been given a good amount of games but hasn’t scored a fifty is Ishan Kishan. In the last 11 games, he hasn’t scored a fifty. He has opened in all games and opening in T20s is luxurious, especially in Asia. He’s someone who has done well in ODI cricket in the minimal chances he’s got. He’s looking to maximise his potential as a player and opportunities in India," Dinesh Karthik said to Cricbuzz on Sunday.

Ishan Kishan needs to make sure he’s a consistent part of the XI: Dinesh Karthik

After losing the first game, India face New Zealand in the second T20I at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on January 29. Uncapped wicketkeeper, Jitesh Sharma, is also part of India's squad, however, Ishan is likely to play both the remaining games in this series. Karthik also added that the remaining two games will be crucial for Ishan and asked him to score big.

“These next two games are going to be critical for him to get some big runs and make sure he’s a consistent part of the XI,” Karthik added.

Earlier today, another former cricketer Aakash Chopra also talked about Kishan's involvement across formats. He said that he prefers KS Bharat over Ishan in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, and further added that KL Rahul should be India's first-choice wicketkeeper option in ODIs.