When we play against Pakistan, the powerplay will decide where the match will go: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian opening batter and commentator Aakash Chopra has heaped praise on the Indian opening batter Ishan Kishan, who scored a match-winning 61-run knock off 24 balls with six fours and five sixes against Namibia in Delhi.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra revealed that he felt Kishan would go on to score a century after the way he started scoring maximums, adding that he played a pivotal role in helping India post a massive total.

"You get only one chance, and you have to make it big. The USA match had already gone bad for you. You didn't score runs. Of course, you scored runs against New Zealand, but runs weren't scored in the previous World Cup either. When he came here after not scoring runs in the first match and Abhishek Sharma wasn't there with him, I requested with folded hands that Ishan Kishan should score runs," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"He got a chance as well, when he was given out. He reviewed it immediately, and I thanked DRS. It had hit the inside edge of the bat, and then he hit three consecutive sixes. He was brilliant. While he lasted, he was playing like a million dollars. I felt he would score a century. Ishan Kishan made the most of his opportunity this time and he had a massive contribution in taking India beyond 200," he added.

Furthermore, with Abhishek Sharma unclear for the Pakistan game on Sunday, February 15, Chopra reckoned that it’s very important for the Indian opening pair to put up a good partnership and start things off on a positive note.

"Ishan Kishan scoring runs was extremely necessary. If you score runs, we and you will get the confidence. We can actually walk into the game with a bit more authority. Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss that Abhishek Sharma might not be available for one or two matches. My heart started palpitating. Will Abhishek not be there against Pakistan? I got a little worried," he observed.

"So I watched attentively how Sanju Samson would play. He hit three sixes, looked in better form if you compare it to the New Zealand series. The opening partnership is extremely important because when we play against Pakistan, the powerplay will decide where the match will go," he concluded.

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