Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has heaped praise on India’s No.3 batter Ishan Kishan, who scored 61 off 32 as India posted 191/8 in 20 overs in the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1.
Speaking on Sony Sports after India’s 3-2 series win, Jadeja lauded Kishan’s consistency at No.3, adding that the Jharkhand batter has ensured that the previous No.3 batter Virat Kohli’s absence isn’t felt in this format.
“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.
“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.
It’s worth noting that Ishan Kishan is the leading run-scorer in the ongoing calendar year in T20Is, scoring 1220 runs in 37 games at an average of 35.88 and a strike rate of 171.58, with a century and eight half-centuries.
Kishan, who was ruled out of the second and third T20Is against New Zealand, managed to play only three games in the five-match series, amassing 62 runs at an average of 20.67 with five fours and as many sixes.
