'At this level, you need to keep performing' - Ishan Kishan wants to capitalise on current form, not worried about position in team

Indian batter Ishan Kishan played a blistering knock of 89 runs off just 56 balls, which earned him player of the match award against Sri Lanka in the first T20I played at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on February 24. Men in Blue also won the contest, thrashing the visitors by 62 runs. However, the 23-year old emphasized on the fact that he cannot take his position for granted and has to be ready for every opportunity he gets.

Sri Lanka after winning the toss invited India to bat first. With healthy contributions from skipper Rohit Sharma, Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, the home side posted a total of 199/2 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka got off to the worst possible start as the side two wickets inside three overs.

Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped both the openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara as Sri Lanka struggled in the chase. Sri Lanka reach the 50-run mark in the tenth over but lost two more wickets. Charith Asalanka was the highest run scorer for the visitors hitting an unbeaten half-century. However, it was too much of a task for the batsman, as Sri Lanka lost the match by 62 runs.

When you come to a level like this, you have to be ready for every opportunity: Ishan Kishan

Speaking in a virtual press conference Kishan said, “When you come to a level like this, playing for the Indian team, you have to be ready for every opportunity you get because there are so many players performing well and you cannot ask for one position. We have to be ready, prepare in the nets, watch our seniors who are doing well at that position, so that’s the way we learn.”

“It’s not just that you go there and you get to open, you have to wait for your time but when you get it, you have to capitalize on it. After playing so much of cricket, we get used to this situation that tough times will come but it’s important to be neutral at that point of time,” Kishan added.

Team India will now be locking horns against Sri Lanka in the second T20I to be played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala on Saturday, February 26.