India, Feb. 13 -- The course of an innings, even in T20 cricket, seldom runs smooth as India found in the first two World Cup outings. Match-ups, too, are made in the T20 altar of success, but the decision to back Ishan Kishan although it would pair two left-handed openers is paying off.

Kishan's India comeback after two years via the domestic grind has been an inspirational story. As India fly into Colombo for Sunday's high-stakes Group A clash against Pakistan - rain is forecast with over 40% precipitation around the 7pm start - the 27-year-old will be extra confident when he looks back at his last innings against the rivals.

In the 2023 ODI Asia Cup, Kishan at No.5 hit 82 off 81b and Hardik Pandya 87 off 90 as the brothers-in-arms pu...