AFP, Lucknow :
Opener Ishan Kishan on Thursday said skipper Rohit Sharma’s belief helped him overcome a dip in form to smash 89 and lead India to a 62-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening Twenty20 International.
The left-handed Kishan put on an opening stand of 111 with Rohit, who hit 44, to guide India to 199 for two after being invited to bat at the start of the three-match series in Lucknow.
Shreyas Iyer smashed 57 off 28 deliveries to add to the Indian total which the bowlers comfortably defended after they kept down Sri Lanka to 137-6 and lead the series 1-0.
The 23-year-old rising star Kishan, who had failed to get past 35 since his 56 on debut last year, was named man of the match in India’s 10th successive T20 win since their loss to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup last year.
“After playing so much cricket, you get used to this situation that okay tough times will come but it’s very important to be neutral at that point of time,” Kishan told reporters.
“You need to talk to your seniors. So it’s very helpful when I sit with Rohit bhai (brother) when he comes to my room for conversation. I know that he believes in me, the coach (Rahul Dravid) believes in me and I just go there to perform.”
Rohit, who surpassed former captain Virat Kohli (3,296) and New Zealand’s Martin Guptill (3,299) to become the world’s leading run-getter in T20 internationals, praised Kishan’s knock.
“I’ve known Ishan for a long time now. I know the mindset he has. I know the ability he has as well,” the skipper said of Kishan who plays for Rohit-led IPL team Mumbai Indians.
