Ishan is one of just three players in the T20I team who was also a member of the ODI World Cup team, which lost badly to Australia in the championship match on November 19. The youthful opener had participated in the tournament’s opening two games, forcing his way into the starting lineup due to Shubman Gill’s dengue ailment. Ishan was left out when Gill came back, and he would never play in the 2023 version.
Ishan spoke candidly about his time on the sidelines and his eventual anguish in the final after India’s victory in the second Twenty20 International. Though he doesn’t play often, the left-hander said it’s crucial for him to stay fresh.
When you’re not on a winning team, it’s all hunger. We performed at the World Cup like champs. You can’t help it, but I was feeling awful. There will be occasions in international cricket when you will not be able to play, but you will still need to be fit. When the moment comes, you’ll have to make it matter. You have to seize the chance when it presents itself, Ishan said.
Prior to the World Cup, Ishan was a regular component of the Indian ODI team as well. However, when KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer returned from their respective injuries, Ishan was not included in the starting lineup. Ishan is one of two wicketkeepers in the current T20I team, the other being Jitesh Sharma.
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India will be back in the series for the third Twenty20 International when both teams go to Guwahati on November 28.
