Not often does a batsman overshadow Rohit Sharma in the middle. Ishan Kishan, who had struggled for fluency against the West Indies, did this with his knock of 89 runs off 56 balls during the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Thursday in Lucknow.
Kishan had come under the scanner for his strike rate of 85 in the 3 T20Is against the West Indies. However, the youngster remained solid and determined to show his intent when he stepped in the middle against the Lankans.
Rohit was content with playing the second fiddle role, as Kishan donned the hat of an aggressor. The pair saw off the first two overs where the ball moved a little, but after that Kishan sent the fans on an exciting ride, starting off by carving Chamika Karunaratne with three consecutive fours, before clubbing Lahiru Kumara for a six and a four in the next over.
Kishan’s train was up and running. Praveen Jayawickrama thumped for a hit to the fence. Dushmantha Chameera pulled for one over the fence. After being cut, spinner Jeffrey Vandersay should have had Kishan when he was on 43 but not for the spilt catch in the deep by Janith Liyanage.
Rohit also got in the act with a maximum off Vandersay as Kishan brought up his fifty off 30 balls. He was about to cut lose next. While Rohit was dismissed by Kumara, at the other end Kishan took apart the fast bowler, blasting him in a 17-run over.
Sri Lanka would finally be shown some mercy when Kishan mistimed another slog, off skipper Dasun Shanaka, and got out for 11 runs short of a century. He walked towards the dressing room with a standing ovation from those in the dugout and the small crowd present in the stadium.
Kishan had given the incoming batters a strong platform and battered bowlers to pounce upon. That Shreyas Iyer duly did with his ballistic innings of 57 runs off 28 balls, taking India’s total to 199.
Fans on Twitter went crazy over this madcap crazy hitting from 23-year-old Ishan Kishan.
Remember the name – Ishan kishan – Pocket size dynamite ?? well played Champ ?
89(56) | @ishankishan51 | #IshanKishan pic.twitter.com/4epgdQkC2P
— Nil ? (@TheRealBoss42) February 24, 2022
Ishan Kishan’s Mood Right Now :- #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/63sgiocEJG
— Jayprakash MSDian ?? (@ms_dhoni_077) February 24, 2022
This is the Ishan Kishan we are used to seeing. He looked a little burdened against the West Indies, didn’t have any timing to his shots, but today he has been excellent.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 24, 2022
.@ishankishan51 walking out to bat today!#INDvSL #Pushpa @alluarjun pic.twitter.com/lnR7upLm5N
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 24, 2022
This knock was much needed after that painful WI series. Well played my king Ishan Kishan. pic.twitter.com/E1UvlHIJ8z
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) February 24, 2022
Ishan Kishan goes for a wonderful 89 in 56 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes. He was determined tonight to score big and he made 89, a fantastic knock comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/lDlKHz3o6z
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 24, 2022
3⃣ boundaries in a row for Ishan Kishan!!#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/gej7Bd89Td
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 24, 2022
Ishan Kishan to IPL teams after today performance: pic.twitter.com/ZVyJlVQkMQ
— Aman_Chain ? Mask Man (@Amanprabhat9) February 24, 2022
This shot, Ishan Kishan! Well timed. pic.twitter.com/OXqRdeeruW
— Shivani Shukla ? (@iShivani_Shukla) February 24, 2022
