IPL 2022 | Ishan Kishan reveals crucial advice from India veterans Virat, Rohit

The Indian Premier League, over the years, has seen several players falter under the pressure of a high price tag. Mumbai Indians regular opener Ishan Kishan was the most expensive buy of the season, providing his services to the record five-time champions for INR 15.25 crore.

This was the first time in the history of the tournament that Mumbai Indians spent more than Rs 10 crore for a player. The left-handed batter got off to a terrific start in the ongoing season of IPL, smacking a 48-ball 81* in the season’s first contest against Delhi Capitals. He followed it up with a fifty against Rajasthan Royals in the next game, but as Mumbai’s form deteriorated, Ishan’s form also took a dip. 

Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Kishan opened up on the pressure of the price tag playing on a cricketer’s mind. The wicket-keeper batter also revealed the advice he received from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. 

“The pressure of the price tag will be on you for a maximum of 1-2 days after the auction. But at this level, you have to understand that I can’t keep such things in mind, and I only have to focus on how to help my team win. The pressure of the price tag certainly will remain for a few days, but when you have such good seniors around you when you keep talking to them, it helps,” Kishan said during a media conference. 

“When I spoke to Rohit Bhai, or even to Virat Kohli Bhai during the game against RCB and Hardik Bhai, everyone told me the same thing ‘you don’t have to think about the price tag’ because it’s not something I have asked for. The team had belief in me, so they did spend the money,” the MI batter added.

In 11 matches so far, Ishan has scored 321 runs at an average of 32.10 and a strike rate of 117.15. He will be next seen taking the field against the arch-rival Chennai Super Kings on May 12 at Wankhede Stadium. 

Talking about Mumbai, the most successful franchise in the history of the tournament, has seen a horrendous time in IPL 2022 as they endured eight straight losses before registering their maiden win. Mumbai are currently placed at the bottom of the points tally with just 2 wins from 11 games and have been ruled out of the playoffs race.