Ishan cherishes ODI return, aims to help India win consistently

Back in India’s ODI setup after a long layoff, Ishan Kishan said it was a proud moment to wear the national jersey again and expressed his desire to carry forward the same approach to help the team win more matches..

The Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter played a stunning knock of 125 off just 79 balls against Afghanistan in the second ODI in Lucknow on Wednesday. His innings, along with captain Shubman Gill’s brilliant 154, powered India to a massive 170-run victory and helped the hosts seal the three-match series 2-0.

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Kishan smashed 14 fours and seven sixes during his aggressive innings and shared a match-defining 224-run partnership with Gill for the third wicket after Rohit Sharma had given India a strong start with 48. The duo dismantled Afghanistan’s bowling attack and guided India to a huge total of 402.

Speaking after the match, Kishan said returning to the Indian team meant a lot to him. “I feel very proud right now because I’m wearing this jersey after a long time. More than that, I’m just happy to be in this tremendous side because all the players here are experienced, young. It’s all a mixture of everything. So, just looking up to make India win more matches,” Ishan said in a BCCI video.

The century was an important milestone for Kishan, who reached three figures in just 71 balls after initially taking time to settle. Once set, he attacked freely and ensured India maintained a high scoring rate through the middle overs.

Despite the impressive performance, Kishan said he remains focused on contributing consistently whenever he gets an opportunity. “I think it never ends for us as athletes. We just keep on playing. So, I’m just looking to be helping each teammate of mine and just trying to put up a good show every time I go in with this jersey on me,” he said.

Kishan’s innings has strengthened his case for a regular place in India’s ODI setup as the team continues to build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Gurnoor takes his India A learnings into int’l cricket

Meanwhile, rookie right-arm quick Gurnoor Brar credited his seamless transition to international cricket to the hard yards he had put in during his stints in domestic cricket, and the India-A set-up.

Gurnoor, who returned impressive figures of 3/60 in India’s massive 170-run win in the second ODI, admitted about being hungry to put in better performances at the international level.

“The India A setup is obviously a big thing for me. If we perform in the Ranji Trophy, we get picked for India A, the Duleep Trophy or the Irani Cup. When I got the call‑up for India A, I was very happy. It was the same for me as when I bowled in Ranji, bowling fast, hitting a hard length and swinging the ball.

“I tried to replicate the exact same thing in India A and hit the same lines. I don’t think about that (reputation) much. I believe in myself and whatever I am doing, whether it is hard length or fast‑paced bowling. I tried to replicate that here as well,” he said.

“In these two matches, I wanted to do better from my end. I know that I can do better than I bowled here. Hopefully, in the coming matches, I will be better. The management and bowling coach back me a lot, which gives me the chance to bowl more openly. They didn’t give me any new tips; they just told me to back my strength,” he added.

Asked about his plans in white-ball cricket, Brar stated it is about planning as much as bowling with pace. “You can’t just bowl fast. Many batsmen like pace if there is nothing in the wicket. It becomes about how we plan against a good opposition or a good batsman and how we set our field positions.

“The ball wasn’t swinging much due to the heat and the wicket here. So we adjusted the plan. If we don’t get swing, we put the ball back. It all works according to the batsman, the wicket, and the match situation. I don’t get satisfied. I am happy that I did well, but I want to do more for Team India. I want to keep doing better. I just keep doing my work.”

With the ODI series already decided in India’s favour, Afghanistan will be aiming to salvage some pride when the two teams clash in the third and final ODI at Chepauk on Saturday.