India Vs West Indies: We need to give opportunities to ‘very talented’ Ishan Kishan: Rohit Sharma | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India captain Rohit Sharma has high expectations for young wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and has stated that the 25-year-old limited-overs specialist will be given more opportunity in Tests to maximise his potential.
Ishan made his Test debut against the West Indies in the first Test at Roseau, which India won by an innings and 141 runs, and Rohit claimed he was definitely delighted with Ishan’s keeping for the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja when the ball was turning copiously and bouncing.
India will play the second Test against the Caribbean team on Thursday, hoping to complete a clean sweep of the two-match series.Ishan making a positive first impression in Tests, especially in an overseas Test, bodes well for the young player, especially given Rishabh Pant’s absence from the India squad due to a horrible car accident late last year.
On how he saw Ishan’s first Test, Rohit said, “Ishan is a very talented guy. We’ve seen it in the short career that he’s had for India. He recently made 200 runs in limited-overs (ODI against Bangladesh last December). He has the game and the talent and we have to harness that talent. So we need to give (him) opportunities. He’s a left-handed batter and likes to play a lot of aggressive cricket.”
The skipper also stated that he had discussed with Ishan how he wanted the youngster to play his game.
“I have had a clear conversation with him on how I want him to play and have given him complete freedom. He has the game and if he wants a bit of freedom to express himself, then that is our job. We will do that with Ishan.”
While Ishan had only 20 deliveries to bat when India declared its first innings, Rohit was delighted with the player’s keeping ability, especially when the ball was turning a lot.

“I would like to speak specifically about his wicket-keeping. He kept really, really well considering he played his first Test and to keep against Ashwin and Jadeja where the ball is turning and bouncing and some balls keeping low as well… I was very impressed with his keeping skills. Unfortunately he got to score just one run as we had to declare. We want our top-order batters bat long. If the opportunity comes (to bat long), he (Ishan) is raring to go,” added Rohit.
The skipper ruled out major alterations to the winning combination ahead of the second Test, but said that the wet weather hasn’t helped in establishing a sense of the Queens Park Oval track here.
India easily won the first Test, and unlike in previous years, the Indian captain made a pleasant change by announcing Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s debut and Shubman Gill’s new batting position.
“In Dominica (first Test venue), we had a clear idea when we saw the pitch and knew the conditions. Here we don’t have clarity as there is talk of rain, but I don’t think there will be drastic changes. But whatever conditions are available, based on that, we will make that decision,” Rohit said ahead of the historic 100th Test against the West Indies.
While the captain did not mention anyone, the sole weak link in the batting order is left-arm bowler Jaydev Unadkat, who did not look as potent as Mohammed Siraj or Shardul Thakur in the opener.
As a new ball bowler, Rohit offered him only nine overs over two innings, with only two overs in the second innings.

If conditions continue cloudy, the Indian team management cannot be blamed for having a third spinner in Axar Patel to make life difficult for the Caribbeans, or using Mukesh Kumar’s far more incisive swing bowling.
The skipper, who scored his tenth Test century in the first match, was pleased that youngsters like Jaiswal took advantage of the occasion by hitting 171 runs on debut.
“Transition has to happen, whether today or tomorrow but I am happy that our boys who are coming in are doing well. And our role is important as we have to give them role clarity. Now it’s up to them how they want to prepare and perform for the team.
“… And we rely on those individuals and obviously they are the future of Indian cricket and they will take Indian cricket to greater heights,” Rohit said.

He also expects the West Indies to bounce back in the landmark Test between the two countries.
“It’s an honour to be taking the Indian team into this game and it doesn’t happen every day. The two teams have so much history, so much good cricket played.
“I will expect no difference in this Test. I am sure they (Windies) will bounce back and it will be exciting for both teams.”
(With inputs from PTI)