Ishan Kishan’s whirlwind half-century, his first in Test cricket in the ongoing second match between India and West Indies in Trinidad has impressed one and all as it allowed Rohit Sharma to declare the Indian second innings and have a chance at clean sweeping the hosts.
India came out firing on Day 4 after West Indies was bowled out for 255 early on, scoring 181/2 in 24 overs before declaring their second innings. In 11.5 overs, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (38 off 30) and Rohit Sharma (57 off 44) contributed 98 runs together.
Ishan Kishan then scored an unbeaten 52 off 34 balls after moving up to No. 4. He blasted four fours and two sixes throughout this innings.
Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta reckons that the situation was tailor-made for Ishan Kishan to walk in and make an impact.
“Everything was kind of tailor-made for Ishan Kishan – the start that India got, the platform that he had when he came out to bat, and the requirement [to score quickly]. Everything suited him and he did what he does so well – played his shots. That’s something that would help him going forward as well, figuring out the right tempo in Test match cricket,” he explained on JioCinema.
Kishan had made just one run on his Test debut in Dominica where he had replaced KS Bharat in the playing XI.
“That Was Surprising”- Deep Dasgupta On Ishan Kishan’s Rishabh Pant Like One-Handed Six To Reach His Fifty
Ishan Kishan helped India shatter Australia’s record for the highest strike rate in a Test innings at 7.54, going past Australia’s record against Pakistan last year of 7.53. India scored 181/2d in 24 overs.
India surpassed the 22-year-old record held by Sri Lanka of the fastest team hundred in Test innings. They had reached the 100-run mark in just 13.2 overs, that is in 80 balls against Bangladesh in 2001 during the Asian Test Championship.
India reached their 100 in just 12.2 overs or 74 balls.
Meanwhile, Deep Dasgupta said that he was surprised that Ishan Kishan pulled a one-handed six off Kemar Roach to reach his fifty, a shot that Rishabh Pant plays regularly.
He said: “That’s something that was surprising. He hit two one-handed sixes. We know Rishabh pulls it off ever so frequently. I really haven’t seen Ishan Kishan pull that off. He spent some time with Rishabh at NCA, who is undergoing his rehab. May be he’s picked up a few things from Rishabh.”
West Indies ended day 4 on 76/2 at stumps, having lost skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (28) and Kirk McKenzie (0).