Mumbai Indians will be aiming to make it three wins on the trot in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) when they host Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. MI beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match and know that a win against Kings XI Punjab will see them rise above our opponents in the points table. KXIP, on the other hand, also beat SRH in their previous game and will be confident about Wednesday’s clash having won the earlier meeting between the two sides this season in March.

MI’ last match saw Ishan Kishan, replacing Yuvraj Singh to make his first IPL appearance of the season and the youngster scored 17 before an unfortunate run-out. Kishan spoke to the media at the pre-match press conference about the pressure that accompanies replacing a legend like Yuvraj in the team. “Obviously, he is a big player. When you fill in his shoes even the fans have big expectations that I play like him. With that pressure and being young, I get to learn a lot as well and it helps me see whether I can handle the pressure and maintain my form,” Kishan said.

Wednesday’s encounter against Punjab will be the first of three consecutive games at home for MI, but Kishan insisted that the boys are focused on taking it one match at a time. “I think whether it is a home match or an away match, you can never have a loose attitude. You always need to be on your toes. At present, we are just taking one match at a time and setting a game plan for every individual match. There is no set long-term plan, the only set long-term plan in the back of the mind is to win IPL. We need to take one step at a time. As matches come by, we are focused on giving our best in every game. We need to be ready to overcome any situation as a team,” he added.

On the disappointment of not being a part of the playing XI in MI’s first four matches, Kishan said: “You know how competitive cricket is. Everyone looks to perform. There are many senior players. When you know you are going to play the IPL here then your main focus is how to maintain your form. So that when you get a chance you can prove to your team that you are capable enough. I have spoken to the coaches and they tell me to keep focusing and keep practising.”

Kishan also revealed that no one takes their spot for granted in the team and everyone’s constantly on their toes irrespective of whether they are youngsters or senior players. “When it comes to T20 cricket, nobody is sure of their place. We have so many good players in the team. It is all about the team and in which situation, which player is needed and what the team needs. As a youngster or even senior player, we all have to be on our toes. We know that whenever we get a chance, we have to give our 100% and contribute so that the team can win,” he opined.

The 20-year-old left-hander then spoke about MI’s latest pace sensation Alzarri Joseph. Kishan had already competed against Joseph in the U-19 World Cup before the Antiguan took the IPL by storm with best-ever bowling figures in league history on his debut in the competition. “In the U-19 World Cup, he had played very well. At that time, he was the standout player in the tournament. In fact, the way he bowls now, he has a completely different rhythm since he’s come here. Even during net sessions, whenever he bowls, he gives his best. We get to learn a lot from his net preparation routine,” Kishan said.

He continued: “The intensity with which he prepares in the nets; that intensity shows on the pitch. If you carefully evaluate his spell, he is bowling really well, and you would think that he is very consistent. Ups and downs do come but he remains very calm and while playing international cricket, he has maintained a neutral level. That is a very good quality. Compared to U-19, I feel now he has improved a lot in terms of his line, length and the way he reads the batsmen. All these aspects are very beneficial for our team.”