Duleep Trophy Final | 'I didn't actively try to change myself...': Ishan Kishan on his mindset after 270-run knock

Ishan Kishan (Pic: X/@BCCIdomestic)

In the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone, East Zone's skipper Ishan Kishan delivered a stupendous knock of 270 runs off 334 deliveries. His knock was laced with 30 boundaries and seven maximums.

After his knock, the left-handed batsman stated that he realised that a batsman should focus on scoring runs instead of overthinking and putting on unnecessary pressure.

"I didn't actively try to change myself. It just happened naturally. When I was out of the (India) squad, I realised that we ultimately only have one job to do: simply to score runs. That is the only thing that helps you in your career," Kishan said in the post-day press meet," said Kishan.

"Any other thoughts will only manipulate your mindset, push you into overthinking, and pile on unnecessary pressure. I realised that those extraneous thoughts aren't necessary. Our job is to step in and win matches for the team. That's all you should care about. You evolve with time, and I feel it is much easier to play this way when you keep your mind clear," he added.

The cricketer then revealed the mantra that he has been following.

"The best thing I'm doing nowadays is not thinking about anything. My job as a batsman is just to go there, watch the ball, and react to it and not keep any expectations from myself. At times, you will, obviously, lose patience. But that is the time when you have to talk to yourself; you have to control that, calm your thoughts about whether you are taking the right decision or not, and after that, you execute your plans," said the Bihar-born cricketer.

Duleep Trophy Final: Top-scorers for East Zone

Riding on his knock, East Zone has reached 708 runs in 163 overs at stumps on Day 2 of the ongoing Duleep Trophy final. Along with him, Kumar Kushagra also smashed 101 runs in 132 balls, with the help of eight boundaries and five maximums. Shikhar Mohan also garnered 85 runs off 120 deliveries, including nine boundaries and three maximums. Facing 86 balls, Abhimanyu Easwaran accumulated 72 runs, including 10 boundaries and a maximum.

(With PTI Inputs)