1st T20I: Pleasing to watch Ishan bat, very happy with Jadeja's return- Rohit Sharma after India's 62-run win
India Today
After India hammered Sri Lanka by 62 runs to take a 1-0 series lead, Rohit Sharma lauded Ishan Kishan while adding that he was happy with Ravindra Jadeja's return.
Captain Rohit Sharma heaped rich praise on Ishan Kishan after the young opener starred in India's 62-run win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I on Thursday with a blazing 89-run knock. Rohit was particularly pleased with Ravindra Jadeja's return and said that the team management expects him to play a crucial role with the bat considering the star all-rounder's rich vein of form in the Test and limited-overs format.
India rode on Ishan and Shreyas Iyer's brilliant fifties to register their 10th successive win when they beat Sri Lanka by 62 runs in the first of the three-match T20I series at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday.
India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I: Highlights
India posted a challenging total of 199 for 2 after being asked to bat first and in reply, the visitors never got going once they lost in-form opener Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck as the Indian bowlers kept on striking with accurate bowling. At 97/6, it seemed to be all over for them but, middle-order batter Charith Asalanka soldiered with a valiant knock and remained unbeaten on 53 off 47 deliveries.
"When you play a kind of support that we play, these things [dips in form] are bound to happen. I know the mindset and ability Ishan has and it was very very pleasing to watch him bat today," Rohit Sharma said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
"He constructed the innings after six overs, that was more pleasing. It was not about coming and hitting the ball, it was also about finding the gaps," Rohit added.
"[On Jadeja] Very happy with him. We want more from him, that's why we sent him up the order and you will see more of that in the upcoming games. He is in good form, especially in Test cricket, and we want to use that in limited-overs. We will see if we can promote him up the order going forward," Rohit further said.