'Not going to be easy': Ishan Kishan ahead of India-Pakistan gold medal clash

India's Ishan Kishan (PTI Photo)

Ishan Kishan is not allowing the prospect of facing Pakistan in the Asian Games gold medal match to weigh on his mind, even as the India wicketkeeper-batter acknowledged the quality of the Sahibzada Farhan-led side.India booked their place in the final with a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second semi-final, keeping alive their hopes of defending the gold medal they won at the Hangzhou Games.

Kishan was central to India's success, producing an unbeaten 80 on a difficult batting surface to help the Men in Blue post 169/7 in their 20 overs. The bowlers then completed the job in emphatic fashion, with Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma claiming two wickets apiece as Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 45 inside 10 overs.India's reward is a gold medal clash with Pakistan on Saturday, October 3.The two teams have met only once in men's cricket this year, with India winning their encounter at the Men's T20 World Cup. Pakistan, however, have a significantly different look in the Asian Games, with Farhan leading the side and the likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf absent from the squad.Kishan, though, said India would not get caught up in the occasion or look too far ahead.

"Just keeping it simple, you don't think so much. We played today, and we know the conditions are not going to be so easy. Especially, they are also a spinner-friendly team,” Kishan told reporters in the post-match press conference.“At the same time, you know, you just don't think about what's going to happen after two days. You just keep calm, you play your shots, you be in the moment and just enjoy those crunch moments,” he added.Kishan's innings stood out even more given the conditions. While the rest of the batters struggled to find their rhythm, the left-hander remained fluent against both Sri Lanka's pace and spin attacks.The chance to win a medal has added another layer of motivation for Kishan, who is looking forward to the summit clash.

“I was thinking about this, and it does make a difference in your heart, at least, you know, when you're playing for India, especially when it's about the medal. And it's not just about being related to BCCI,” said Kishan.“It's always about India here. There are so many flags going around and so many people cheering for you. So you get that feeling inside, though you don't show it. But yeah, I think you get that feeling like this is a different kind of thing, even if we have a very good side and we have those bowlers, we have those batters. But still, I feel there's a bit more pressure here, to be very honest,” he added.The India-Pakistan final will also bring renewed attention to the relationship between the two cricketing sides. Players from the two teams have not shaken hands with each other since last year's Asia Cup, and it remains to be seen whether that continues in Saturday's gold medal contest.