Mumbai Indians (MI) star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is considered one of the most talented batters in the country. The Mumbai-based franchise splurged a whopping Rs 15.25 crore to reacquire his services in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction. In a recent interview interaction on Breakfast with Champions, Kishan narrated a few incidents about his opening partner and skipper, Rohit Sharma.
"You know what I did one time at Wankhede. I was new, it was my first season and I didn't know anything. Now, to make the ball old, you usually throw it on the ground. So, there was a lot of dew in the match that day. And I thought that if I roll the ball on the field, Rohit Bhai will be happy that I am making the ball old," the left-handed batter recalled.
However, the Jharkhand batter’s plan backfired as dew was creating problems for the bowlers.
"So, in that dew, I rolled the ball to him. He took out his towel and began cursing at me. Then I looked down and realized what I had done. Then he told me, 'Don't take it personally, it is just match-to-match," Kishan added.
Kishan has gotten off to an excellent start with the bat despite five-time champions two consecutive losses. He is the second in the race for orange cap with 135 runs from two innings including two half-centuries.
After narrating the incident, Kishan lauded Rohit’s captaincy. The Mumbai-born batter has led MI to the title win on five occasions. His IPL captaincy record was also one of the factors that helped him in becoming India’s all-format captain.
Yeah, Rohit Sharma is chilled out. But his brain is always running on the ground. When he says a batter will hit in this area, usually it tends to happen," the 23-year-old said.
To back up his statement, Kishan talked about leg-spinner Rahul Chahar's rise. Rahul earned a place in India's T20 World Cup 2021 squad after terrific performances in the first phase of IPL 2021.
"I have seen it myself with Rahul Chahar, I am thinking after he has bowled 2-3 dot balls, I feel the batter is going to go for it. But (Rohit) from behind is telling him to release it even more. Rohit bhai has played a big role in Rahul's success.
"I have seen it myself how Rohit bhai would go from covers and give him confidence. Rahul would ask him if he needs to take the fielder behind. But Rohit would tell him 'I have faith in you. You will be able to do it.' And he would do it,” the most expensive player in IPL 2022 mega auction revealed.
