'Can effortlessly hit sixes': Ishan Kishan on not rotating strike

Swashbuckling batter Ishan Kishan has an explanation for why he is not looking to rotate the strike: he can hit sixes effortlessly.

"Some players have the strength to rotate the strike, my strength is to hit sixes. I hit sixes effortlessly and not many can do that. If I do the job by hitting sixes, there's no need to think about rotating the strike much," Kishan said at a media briefing at the end of the second ODI between India and South Africa at Ranchi on Sunday night.

Ishan Kishan smashed an 84-ball 93 in the Ranchi match, getting caught in the deep seven runs short of his maiden international century as he went for another big one.


Kishan said he could have reached his hundred with seven singles but he did not want to play for himself and let down his team and his fans.

The wicketkeeper batter said there would be some situations though that do warrant him to rotate the strike.

"Yes, there will be time when rotating the strike would be key with wickets falling at the other end," PTI quoted him as saying.

He said he was disappointed in missing out on a hundred, but then his 93 was a big contribution to the team's winning cause.

India chased down the 279 needed to win against S Africa for the loss of just 3 wickets, with Shreyas Iyer leading with an unbeaten 113 from 111 balls.

Kishan, who opens for Mumbai Indians, had similarly missed a hundred in IPL 2020 when he got out for 99 in a chase of 202 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"We needed five off two balls and I got out for 99 in the IPL. If I thought about rotating the strike, then it would have been difficult to win," he pointed out.