Ishan Kishan Takes a Lighthearted Dig at Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan Over Appeals

Ishan Kishan, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, recently poked fun at Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan for his over-enthusiastic appeals behind the stumps. The remark came in a casual conversation with Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary, which Kishan shared on his social media account. In the video, Kishan humorously explained why he prefers to keep his appeals measured on the field, taking a swipe at Rizwan’s frequent and fervent appeals.

Ishan Kishan

The exchange took place when Chaudhary commented on Kishan’s improved approach to appeals, saying, “You’ve matured and now only appeal when it’s necessary. Earlier, you appealed for almost everything. What brought about this change?” To which the 26-year-old wicketkeeper responded, “Umpires have become wiser. If I appeal for every single ball, even the ones that are obviously out, they might just start giving them not out. Instead, I now appeal only when I’m sure, and that builds the umpire's confidence in the right calls.”

Kishan then playfully used Rizwan as an example of what not to do. He jokingly added, “Warna abhi (Mohammad) Rizwan type kuch karunga toh phir aap log ek bhi baar nahi denge,” implying that if he acted like Rizwan, who is known for his loud and insistent appeals, the umpires would never give him a favorable decision again.

Rizwan, a quality wicketkeeper and the captain of Pakistan's white-ball team, has often faced criticism for his vocal and persistent appeals, sometimes even when the decision was clearly not out. His exuberance behind the stumps has occasionally irked both umpires and opposition players alike.

Kishan’s lighthearted remark highlights the differences in approach between him and Rizwan when it comes to appealing for dismissals. While Kishan prefers a more composed and strategic approach, Rizwan’s vocal presence has become a signature part of his on-field demeanor.

In addition to the playful banter, Kishan also discussed the importance of confident decision-making by umpires. He expressed that while players have their preferences for certain umpires, there is always room for improvement. He emphasized that umpires should trust their judgment and make decisions without being swayed by the volume of the appeal.

Ishan Kishan, who had an outstanding start to the IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, also spoke about his form. After being picked up for ₹11 crore, he made a remarkable debut for SRH, scoring 106* off just 47 balls in a thrilling match against Rajasthan Royals, helping his team post an imposing total of 286.

Kishan and SRH will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming home match against Lucknow Super Giants as they aim to build on their strong start to the season.