I don’t give much focus on what’s happening outside: Ishan Kishan

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is unfazed by the noise surrounding Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting and wants to stay focused on doing the job he is meant to do.

On Saturday, India lost Abhishek (8) and Sooryavanshi (20) inside three overs to be reduced to 29/2, but Kishan anchored the innings with a 44-ball 81 to power India to 219/5.

His effort helped India beat hosts Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the second T20I and seal the series 2-0 ahead of Sunday’s final match. “I don’t give so much focus to what’s happening outside,” said the 28-year-old after registering his second fifty in three T20I innings. Abhishek has been known for some time for his fearless batting. But, since the much-anticipated debut of Sooryavanshi, the spotlight has largely been on the teenage prodigy. But Kishan, who is equally aggressive, is not bothered by the noise.

“I know the way I have to play and what’s important is to just be in the moment,” he said. “Don’t think about who is getting more runs or who is hitting more.” Kishan said a No. 3 batter’s role becomes even more important when the team loses early wickets. “Everyone can have that image in the team. But as a number three batter, you need to understand what’s important when two wickets are down early.”