NEW DELHI: During the ODI World Cup, Ishan Kishan had many opportunities to hone his skills under knowledgeable trainers while sitting on the bench. He batted and batted at the nets, making mental notes about how to use different bowlers in different match scenarios.
In the company of the nation's finest cricketers, including a pair of all-time greats, the 25-year-old Indian batsman enjoyed the fruits of his laborious homework a while back during the opening Twenty20 International against Australia on Thursday in Visakhapatnam.
1st T20I: Suryakumar Yadav leads India stat attack against Australia
Australia leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha was the target of his assault, from which Kishan amassed 30 runs off only 10 deliveries.
"During the World Cup, when I wasn't playing, I asked myself before every practice session 'What is important for me now. What I could do. I practised a lot in nets. I was constantly talking to the coaches about the game, how to take the game deep. How to target certain bowlers.
"Being a lefty against leg-spinner, I know how the wicket was as I had kept for 20 overs. When you are chasing 209, you need to target a bowler, who you can hit. I had a chat with Surya bhai that I'm going to take (on) this guy (Sangha) wherever he bowls because we need to get the runs and balls close," Kishan said at the post-match press conference.
"You can't leave too many runs for the batters at the back. It won't be easy for them to play the big shots straight away. I had to take my chances and I believed in myself," he added.
1st T20I: Suryakumar Yadav leads India stat attack against Australia
With one ball remaining in the five-match series, India took a 1-0 lead after chasing down a total of 209 thanks to Kishan's 58 off 39 balls and Suryakumar Yadav's 42-ball 80.
After India lost two early wickets in a large chase, communication with Suryakumar-who is heading the squad in this series and with whom Kishan has played a lot of cricket in the IPL-was crucial.
"We lost two wickets early and partnership was very important. I played with Surya bhai in the same team in IPL also so I know how he plays, what shots he can play... the communication I think it was very good today in the middle. We were talking to each other about which bowler we have to take, we have to keep on rotating the strike."
Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi conceded 54 runs in his four overs, making it a challenging day in the field.
"It was not easy for spinners, even when the Australian spinners were bowling they went for runs.
"I know he is a very good bowler, he has done well in the past matches. You have seen the wicket, it was not easy, the ball was not doing much, the ball was travelling a lot. Josh Inglis, the way he batted, and at the same time he had Steve Smith at the other end.
"We need to focus on what we could have done, we will get wickets like these in upcoming games too. Bishnoi, he just needs to back himself a bit more and he will do very well in the upcoming games," Kishan said.
The batsman-wicketkeeper called it a "solid all-around performance" overall.
"Solid performance all around. It was not easy for the bowlers I know, especially with the fact that most of them are playing after a long time in international cricket. So credit goes to everyone.
"It was a pressure game when you are playing against Australia. Overall, I think, we were very good."
With his undefeated 22 off 14 balls, big-hitting Rinku Singh led India to victory following the exploits of Suryakumar and Kishan.
"Sometimes we need to play these matches where you know you are winning it easily and at the same time the match gets close, so we get to learn a lot from those games where we have to take singles, where we have to hit in the gaps.
"Rinku, you know, he has done so well in IPL and then domestic matches. And coming here playing against Australia, showing his calmness the shots he played, I think, he was superb today," Kishan said.
(With PTI inputs)