After registering a string of low scores and eventually being dropped from the Mumbai Indians’ playing 11, Ishan Kishan scored two successive fifties in the IPL. The wicketkeeper batsman had said that Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Mumbai colleague Hardik Pandya helped him during the rough patch. He added that Kohli has told him that he will be seen as an opener in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup.

Kishan went berserk during Mumbai Indians’ final round robin game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Aiming for a near-impossible qualification, the 23-year-old scored 84 runs off 32 balls, powering his side’s total to a mammoth 235 runs. The defending champions were eventually knocked out of play-offs due to inferior net run-rate compared to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kishan had earlier scored an unbeaten 50 off 25 balls against the Rajasthan Royals. 

“I would love to open, and that is what Virat bhai said. But at the bigger level, you need to be prepared for everything,” said Kishan, who was recently distraught by his loss of form.

Also read: IPL 2021: David Warner thanks Sunrisers Hyderabad fans for ‘a great ride’

Kishan is happy that he is back in form which would be good for Team India ahead of the mega event.

“A very good thing for me as well as for the team. Getting in good touch before the World Cup.” MI needed to win their last game by a minimum of 170 runs. 

” A good state of mind is very important. I knew we are in a do-or-die situation. It was just the intent and the positive mindset.

  Also read: Kohli to De Villiers: Chris Morris lists toughest batsmen he has bowled to

“You have to be prepared for every circumstance. It’s important to be in that mindset. I had a chat with Virat bhai, HP [Hardik Pandya], KP [Pollard] – they were all there,’ the Patna dasher said.

Kishan standing as a contender for the opening slot in the marquee tournament would cause a few changes in the lineup.  Rohit Sharma is a constant as India’s all-format opener and in T20Is, KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli are other options to open with him.