IPL 2022: Even the biggest of players can struggle – Ishan Kishan on his below par season

The likes of Kane Williamson, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli have failed to get going in Indian Premier League 2022. These three are amongst the best batters in the world but their form has eluded them in the ongoing season of the lucrative league. Similarly, Mumbai Indians opening batter Ishan Kishan has also struggled to be consistent for his franchise.

In fact, the five-time champions Mumbai Indians had broken the bank for Ishan Kishan in IPL 2022 mega auction as he was brought for a whopping amount of INR 15.25 Crores. However, Kishan hasn’t been able to return the goods to the franchise.

Meanwhile, the southpaw got off to another start as he scored 43 runs off 34 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday. However, he could not go on to convert it into a substantial score in the run-chase of 194 runs.

It has been noticed that Ishan Kishan is comfortable while playing the full-length deliveries but he looks at sea when the ball is pitched in the good length and short length areas. Kishan was troubled by Umran Malik’s extra pace on Tuesday and he didn’t have a lot of answers.

“Even the biggest of players (can struggle), I have seen the likes of Chris Gayle taking time (to start hitting),” Kishan said at the post-match conference.

Kishan had scored a couple of fifties in the first few matches but he has veered off the track since then. The left-hander has scored 370 runs in 13 matches at a decent average of 30.83. However, he has scored his runs at a strike rate of 118.21, which has been an issue as he is known to get quick runs.

“Every day is a new day, every match is new. Some day, you get a good start, someday, opposition bowlers come prepared and they bowl the balls at good areas. “The planning inside the dressing room may be different from what the outside people want.”

Kishan added that he can not start hitting from ball one and it is important to assess the match situation and play accordingly.

“In cricket, it can never be sure that you have just one role and I will just go out and hit the ball. If you think about the team, it is more important to understand your role,” Kishan, who scored 43 off 34 balls, said.

“If the opposition bowlers are bowling well you need to give respect to them and if you can save wicket it makes it easier for the batters coming later. “There cannot be just one situation. Some day, you need to go all out when you are chasing a big total, someday, you need to analyze the strength of the opposition team whether they have good bowlers to bowl at the death or not, or whether we have to save wickets or not.”

Meanwhile, MI lost by three runs and they could not get over the line after Tim David was run out after scoring a blistering knock of 46 off 18 balls.

MI will play their last match of the season against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.