When I met Sachin paaji for the first time, I didn't hear anything he spoke: Ishan Kishan

For any young Indian cricketer, meeting Sachin Tendulkar is like a dream. There are only a few players who get an opportunity. In an interview, Ishan Kishan revealed how he reacted when he met the veteran batsman for the first time. Kishan was bought by Mumbai Indians at the IPL 2018 Auctions for INR 6.2 lakh.

The wicket-keeper batsman has since been part of the Mumbai franchise. Recalling his first meeting with Sachin Tendulkar, the Jharkhand player revealed that it was just after he was bought by the franchise. He said it was the captain Rohit Sharma who he told about how much he had worshipped the little master.

“I still remember the time when I first met Sachin paaji (Tendulkar). He had come to see our practise session at Mumbai Indians. It was just after I got signed. I had been chatting with Rohit bhai (Sharma) and told him about how I worshipped Sachin paaji all these years and now, suddenly he is in front of me”, Kishan said during an episode of Cricbuzz’s show Spicy Pitch.

Further, the Patna-born played said that it was the master blaster himself who came and talked with him. Talking about his fanboy moment, Kishan said that he didn’t focus on what the legendary batsman was saying instead he just kept watching him speak. Tendulkar is the batting mentor and icon for the franchise.

“Rohit bhai told me to go and have a chat. Fortunately, Sachin paaji himself came towards me to have a talk. I don’t think I heard anything that he spoke, I was just watching him speak,” Kishan said while recalling that moment.

Kishan’s last season wasn’t really great for the Mumbai Indians. He played seven matches and scored only 101 runs at a strike rate just above 100. However, in the 2018 season, he had been impressive. He scored 275 runs in 14 innings with a strike rate of 150.

The left-handed batsman has been playing some good cricket for the India A side. He has been a regular member for the squad and has done exceedingly well for them. However, his India national team call seems a far fetched dream as of now, with the likes of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Sanju Samson already there in line for the wicket-keeper’s spot.