Former India spinner Murali Kartik has praised Ishan Kishan for his impressive consistency since returning to the national team. Kartik believes the left-handed batter has developed a much more controlled approach and warned bowlers that they will struggle if they repeatedly bowl in his preferred areas. India began their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan with a dominant seven-wicket victory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, September 13.
After restricting Afghanistan to 156/8, India chased down the target in just 13.4 overs, with 38 balls remaining. Ishan Kishan played an important role in the successful chase, scoring 42 runs from 33 deliveries. His innings included five fours and a six, as he provided valuable support to Abhishek Sharma during their 121-run second-wicket partnership.
Speaking on Sony Sports, Murali Kartik highlighted the transformation in Kishan’s batting since his return to the Indian team. According to the former spinner, the batter has found a more reliable method of scoring runs while retaining his natural attacking ability. “He has been a modicum of consistency for India. Just look at what he has been doing from the time he has come back into the side. He has been phenomenal.”
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Murali Kartik also pointed out that Kishan has become more mature compared to his earlier stint with the Indian side. His shot selection and control have improved, making him an increasingly difficult batter to contain.
“There are certain no-go areas as a bowler to him. Don’t go into his hips, don’t bowl short, don’t bowl wide; he has got such fast hands, he is going to hurt you every day.” Kishan eventually fell while attempting to finish the chase in style. He was caught by Rashid Khan at long-on off Mohammad Nabi after trying to clear the boundary for a six.
Kartik also discussed Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 82 against Afghanistan and suggested that the young opener can sometimes put too much pressure on himself to maintain an ultra-aggressive approach. “Sometimes you expect too much from him, and sometimes he also expects a bit too much from himself.”
The former India cricketer believes Abhishek could benefit from occasionally taking an extra moment before launching another attack. However, he stressed that even a brief period of caution would not significantly reduce the batter’s scoring rate. Murali Kartik also brought Abhishek’s mentor Yuvraj Singh into the discussion, suggesting that the former India all-rounder may have encouraged him to understand that he does not need to attack every delivery.
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“You can still have your moments in T20 cricket. You don’t have to go at the rate of knots every ball.”
That approach was visible in Delhi, where Abhishek combined calculated aggression with powerful strokeplay. He smashed 82 from only 32 balls, hitting seven fours and seven sixes, before helping India move towards a comfortable victory alongside Kishan. The performance once again highlighted why India’s aggressive opening combination has become such a dangerous proposition in T20I cricket.
