Former Indian veteran opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar praised Ishan Kishan for his brilliant inning of 82 runs against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 in Kandy on Saturday, September 2, 2023. Ishan came to bat when Team India was in complete disarray at 47/3 and was reduced to 66/4. However, with great maturity, the young southpaw added 138 runs with Hardik Pandya to take India out of trouble.
Speaking to India Today, here’s what Sunil Gavaskar said about Ishan Kishan’s innings:
“Got to give credit to the young man for coming in a crisis situation and scoring 82 runs and having that partnership. I think if he was discomforted by some injury, it is only natural for him to think that because he cannot run fast between the wickets, he should be looking for the boundary. So that’s totally understandable at all. So I wouldn’t point a finger at him at all. I would just pat him on the back and say well done to the young man.”
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar After IND vs PAK In Asia Cup 2023
Sunil Gavaskar Also Praised Hardik Pandya
Sunil Gavaskar also praised Hardik Pandya’s contribution of 87 runs and his strong partnership with Ishan. Gavaskar highlighted how well Hardik played the role of a senior and kept communicating with the youngster at the other end during the partnership.
On this, he stated:
“I think again no praise can be too high for the way he shepherded Ishan Kishan through that partnership. And of course, scoring runs himself hitting the boundaries, picking the ones and twos. And he showed that, you know, in a crisis situation to rise to the occasion, that was terrific innings.”
Although India did not get the result, they will be happy with the way Ishan and Hardik responded to the pressure put by Pakistan bowlers and performed brilliantly