Ishan Kishan says calmness, adaptability and teamwork are vital when switching between international cricket formats, reflecting on his 42-run knock, partnership with Abhishek Sharma, preparation methods and recovery plans after India’s seven-wicket T20I win over Afghanistan.
India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has highlighted the importance of calmness, adaptability and teamwork in handling the frequent switches between international cricket formats. His comments came after India began their T20I series against Afghanistan with a convincing seven-wicket victory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Kishan played an important supporting role in India’s successful chase, scoring 42 runs and sharing a crucial 121-run partnership with young opener Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek produced an impressive attacking innings of 82 as India chased down Afghanistan’s target of 157 with seven wickets in hand.
Speaking in a video posted on the official BCCI website, Kishan said professional cricketers have to adjust quickly whenever the format changes. He acknowledged that moving between ODI and T20 cricket can require some time, but stressed that players must remain composed to perform at their best.
“As a professional, I think when it changes, we just have to adapt as soon as possible,” Kishan said. He added that players repeatedly experience format changes during international cricket and therefore need to quickly return to the appropriate mindset.
Kishan also explained how his partnership with Abhishek was based on constantly assessing the situation and adjusting their individual roles. With Abhishek finding his rhythm early and playing aggressive shots, Kishan focused on supporting him and ensuring that the partnership maintained momentum.
The wicketkeeper-batter said he deliberately played a more controlled innings because Abhishek was striking the ball well. According to Kishan, there can be occasions when the roles are reversed, with him taking greater responsibility if his partner is struggling for timing.
He described this approach as an important part of teamwork in T20 cricket. Kishan also admitted that finding the ideal T20 rhythm immediately after playing another format can be difficult, particularly within a short period.
The Indian batter stressed that mistakes and minor setbacks are natural, but players must identify those errors and continue improving from one game to the next. For Kishan, maintaining composure is particularly important because excessive focus on specific scoring areas can sometimes affect a batter’s natural game.
Preparation away from the field is another important part of his approach. Kishan revealed that he studies videos of opposition bowlers to understand their tendencies and possible plans. He also discusses cricket with teammates and friends, using informal conversations to identify technical or tactical areas that may require improvement.
According to Kishan, watching the ball carefully and responding naturally rather than becoming overly focused on a particular scoring area helps maintain balance at the crease. He also noted that batters can sometimes become carried away after repeatedly hitting boundaries, which may cause them to lose their shape and momentum.
Conversations with teammates, he said, can help players recognise such mistakes and make adjustments before they become recurring problems.
Following the demanding opening match, Kishan said his immediate priority was recovery ahead of India’s next game. He planned to rest, complete a workout session before the following match and conserve energy after the physically demanding contest.
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India’s strong opening performance against Afghanistan provided Kishan and the team with a positive start to the series. For the wicketkeeper-batter, however, maintaining consistency will depend on adapting quickly, staying calm and continuing to work collectively as the international schedule moves between formats.
