‘Think cricket, not social media’: Ishan Kishan to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (AFP Photo) NEW DELHI: Indian batsman Ishan Kishan has backed teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the 15-year-old has all the qualities to become a match-winner for the national team.Kishan’c comments came after India’s 90-run win over Zimbabwe in the second T20I in Harare on Saturday. India were in early trouble after losing Abhishek Sharma (8) and Sooryavanshi (20) in the first three overs to slip to 29/2. Kishan then played a brilliant knock of 81 off 44 balls to take India to 219/5. Zimbabwe were later bowled out for 129 as India wrapped up the three-match series 2-0 with one match to spare.Kishan said senior team members are helping Sooryavanshi settle in international cricket and encouraging him to ignore distractions outside the game.

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“Vaibhav is actually very smart. He knows what he’s doing,” Kishan said after India’s win.“He knows how to bat and how to carry himself on and off the field.The batsman revealed that he, Abhishek Sharma, captain Axar Patel and other veteran players speak to the youngster regularly to ensure that he remains focused.“When you represent India, you have to know what to focus on,” he said.“I, Abhishek, Axar bhai and many others tell him to think about cricket, not social media or outside noise.Kishan said the team wants Sooryavanshi to learn from the experience of senior players and avoid distractions early in his career.“When you have a player like that and you know he’s very young, you never want him to be distracted for the wrong reasons.“So our work as a team, we are like brothers and he comes from my place, so we have to be happy, focus on the important things. The mistakes we made in our start, he shouldn’t do that. He should enjoy cricket like he is doing now.”Kishan believes Sooryavanshi’s attacking style can have a big impact on India’s performances.“If he stays on the field, the difference he can make to the team is huge. A player who can attack from the first ball can get you to 80-90 runs in the power bowl,” he said.