Nishin, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : Ishan Kishan delivered a stellar performance in the semifinals of the 2026 Asian Games, scoring 80 runs off 46 balls against Sri Lanka, including five sixes and four fours. The wicketkeeper-batsman expressed that representing India in such a prestigious tournament comes with a distinct kind of pressure, unlike regular international matches. He emphasized the emotional weight of striving for a medal, which resonates deeply within the team.
Thanks to Kishan’s impressive innings, India posted a total of 169 runs, losing just seven wickets. Sri Lanka, in response, was restricted to a mere 45 runs.
In a post-match press conference, Kishan stated, “When you play for India, especially with a medal on the line, it touches your heart. It’s not just about being part of the BCCI; it’s about representing India. With flags waving all around and so many people cheering for you, you feel something special inside, even if you don’t show it outwardly. I believe there’s a bit more pressure here, even though our team is strong with excellent bowlers and batsmen.”
Playing on a challenging pitch, Kishan highlighted the importance of a set batsman remaining at the crease to secure a winning score. “Reaching that score was crucial for us. When you step onto the field, you set your target; you know how many runs are needed on such a pitch. Especially with spinners in your team, you need to aim for at least 150 runs to be in a safe position. The goal was clear: just get to 150, and I played the shots that were necessary at that time.”
Discussing the team’s strategy on a pitch that posed difficulties even for seasoned batsmen, Kishan remarked, “Honestly, it was tough. I didn’t have much confidence on the crease, but we had a plan from our team meeting. Any batsman who settled in should aim to last the full 20 overs, as that’s the best way to score big and help the team reach a good total. It’s challenging for a new batsman to come in and immediately play aggressive shots.”
When asked if the unpredictable nature of such pitches increases the role of luck in crucial finals, Kishan disagreed. “No, that’s not the case. In cricket, you can get out to a good ball, which can change the entire game. You need to be very aware of the conditions, the pitch behavior, your plan, and the team’s needs. Especially on such pitches, focusing on team goals is more important than individual ones. So, we concentrate on those little things.”
As India prepares for the gold medal match against Pakistan on Saturday, Kishan emphasized the importance of keeping things simple under pressure. “I think keeping things simple is better, so you don’t overthink. We played today; we know the conditions won’t be easy, especially with good spinners on the opposing team. Plus, you shouldn’t dwell on what might happen two days later. Just stay calm, play your shots, live in the moment, and enjoy those crucial instances.”
Leave a Comment