‘Will do any job you ask’: Former England spinner’s high praise for India’s unsung hero

India’s Ishan Kishan (AP photo) Former England skipper Graeme Swann heaped praise on Ishan Kishan after the wicketkeeper’s sensational century led India to a dominant 170-run win over Afghanistan in the second ODI in Lucknow, ending the three-match series with a game to spare.Kishan played a stunning knock of 125 off just 79 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and seven sixes. His innings formed the backbone of a massive 224-wicket stand for the third wicket with Indian captain Shubman Gill producing a brilliant 154. Their partnership helped India amass 402 before restricting Afghanistan to 232.Speaking about JioStar, Swann admired Kishan’s team approach and his ability to seamlessly fit into any role required by the side.“He’s the type of player who will do any job you ask of him without any complaints. The fact that he’s come back into the team and looks like he’s never been away is remarkable,” Swann said.The former England spinner also highlighted the way Kishan walked the innings before dramatically changing gears. According to Swann, the left-hander showed excellent game awareness rather than relying on a reckless move game.“He came to the crease and was circumspect for his first fifty, but then he only took 19 deliveries to get from 50 to 100, which is ridiculous. It wasn’t even a mad dash or a slap. He was just smart, picking spots on the leg side, forcing the bowlers to change lines and then playing those amazing drive lofts.”Swann felt Kishan’s transformation reflected the hard work he had put into improving specific areas of his batting.“It’s a sign of absolute class. That shot, the outside of the game, is something he’s worked on the last two years. It was an area where pitchers could have stopped him, but he went out and worked on it and turned it into power, which is great,” he added.Kishan got his hundred in just 71 deliveries and ensured that India’s pace never slowed down. Alongside Gill, he dismantled the Afghan bowling attack and produced one of India’s biggest ODI totals in recent years.India then completed a comprehensive victory as Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar took three wickets. Rahmat Shah fought hard with 79 but Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 232, giving India an unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of the final ODI in Chennai.