Strong performance will be icing on the cake for birthday boy Ishan Kishan

Mumbai: India's new debutant Ishan Kisan's parents (father Pranav Pandey and mother Suchitra Singh) were anxious on Sunday as their son was making his ODI debut against Sri lanka on his 23rd birthday.

The moment they heard the good news, the proud parents glued their eyes on the TV.

"Hope it becomes an icing on the cake", the father, a businessman, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Patna, said.

"Yes, we wished him at midnight but had no clue about his participation in the match. We hardly discuss cricket with him. Even during this tour, we chat on other general things but never bring pressure on him by discussing cricket".

During his school days, the Patna-born player couldn’t balance cricket and his studies. Because of his hectic cricket schedule, he couldn’t cope up with both and thus, gave up studying.

Ishan Kisan is the world's 16th and just the second Indian player to make an ODI debut on his birthday.  

Former middle order batsman Gursharan Singh made his ODI debut on his birthday (March 8) against Australia at Hamilton in 1990 (Rothmans Triangular series).

"It is an icing on the cake if the player performs on his birthday. Nervousness is bound to be there and it was no exception when I made my debut on my birthday", Gursharan Singh said.

"I wanted to make it very special and win for the team but could only score 4 runs in the match, which we lost".

"It is a great day if you perform and get disappointed if you don't", he added.

Kishan is the first batsman to hit a six on the first ball on his debut.