Wicketkeeper-batter
Ishan Kishan opened up about his competition with Rishabh Pant for a place in India’s limited-overs side. Ishan said he has to make the most of the opportunities
presented to him when Pant is not part of the team. 

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Although
both Ishan and Pant were part of the same India U-19 team, Pant had burst into
the senior Indian team back in 2018, following his magnificent performance in
the Indian Premier League. Ishan made his international debut only in 2021.

“Obviously,
I want to play every game as a wicket-keeper-batsman. But we have Rishabh,
who’s done so well for the team. So, I must make do with the opportunities I
get, which is fine with me. Competition is always a healthy thing,” said Ishan.

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The
23-year-old left-handed batter also talked about his bond with Pant and said
that he never felt that he has to take the latter’s spot in the Indian team.

“Oh
yes, he’s [Rishabh Pant] a very good friend. Whenever both of us are around,
you’ll find us hanging out a lot with each other. We just keep watching movies
whenever we find the time. We also talk a lot about cricket with each other
about the game, what could’ve been done differently. I speak my mind with him,
and he does the same. Never once has it crossed my mind that I want his place
and I can assure you, that’s been the case with him too. And most importantly,
when we are in the middle of our cricket routines, we don’t even think we’re
competing with each other,” he added.

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As
Pant has been rested for the Sri Lanka series, Ishan Kishan will be in the thick of
the action and he will have the chance to prove his worth as a
wicketkeeper-batter. Pant was in fact released from the bio-bubble on Saturday
and hence Kishan has played the wicketkeeper’s role in the third T20I against
West Indies in Kolkata.

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“When
you have good competition going with a talented player, there’s great fun to it
too. You begin to realise those important things all by yourself-play good
cricket and everything else will take care of itself. I love wicket-keeping so
whenever an opportunity comes, I’ll try and give it my best,” he added.