Virat Kohli may have scored the winning runs for India, but the result couldn't have been possible had it not been for Ishan Kishan's blazing half-century for debut.

Kishan played a fearless innings, even when he saw his opening partner KL Rahul depart in the first innings of India's chase. Kohli and Kishan batted to put on a 94-run stand, and formed the bedrock of India's chase on which their comprehensive seven-wicket against England to level the series.

"Special mention to Ishan, the way he batted," Kohli said. "Changed the game completely. We were one down for nothing. I tried to do what I could, but then he totally took the game away from the opposition. Kept following his instinct. Quality batting on debut."

He's a fearless character. He should continue to back his instincts. We had a conversation out in the middle where he understood and analysed the game very smartly," Kohli said of Kishan.

Kohli acknowledged Kishan's batting exploits, which goes back to the IPL 2020, where he scored over 500 runs in Mumbai Indians' title winning campaign.