Ishan Kishan Defends Expensive Alzarri Joseph

Mumbai, Apr 13 (PTI) Mumbai Indians' keeper-batsman Ishan Kishan defended teammate Alzarri Joseph's indifferent performance against Rajasthan Royals after his brilliant IPL debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad, calling it a part and parcel of the game.

Alzarri, who took a record 6 for 12 on his debut was hammered for 53 off three overs, primarily due to 28 runs conceded in the 13th over that changed the game.

"It's part of game. The other day he took six wickets and helped defend a small total," said Kishan after MI went down by four wickets as RR chased down their total of 187 for five with four balls to spare.

But Kishan conceded that the one over (13th) in which Antiguan Joseph conceded two sixes and four fours – a total of 28 runs – to RR's Buttler that turned the match around in winning team's favour.

"It was an important over as Rajasthan went ahead then. But still he's a very good bowler and will make a strong come back," predicted Kishan in support of the young pacer.

His woes didn't end as he then hurt his shoulder badly trying to stop a boundary.

Kishan couldn't confirm the status of his injury.

"I don't know about his injury status as he was on the physio's table," he said.

Kishan also praised Buttler's blistering innings of 89 in 43 balls laced with seven sixes and eight fours.

"Jos Buttler batted really well. It's not easy to bat on a slow wicket. Credit goes to him also."

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)