The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan‘s heroic batting helped India A to snatch a close victory against South Africa A on Saturday (31st August). After that innings, many Indian cricket fans have wished to see the youngster in the senior national cricket team. They even want to see him as the replacement of Rishabh Pant.
In the rain-interrupted second unofficial ODI of the series between India A and South Africa A at Thiruvananthapuram, the visitors South Africa A managed to score 162/5 (21 overs) after losing the toss.
Read More: Joe Denly To Open, Jason Roy To Bat At No. 4 At Old Trafford
In reply, most of the Indian batsmen failed to capitalise their starts as India A were losing wickets at regular intervals. At the crucial moment, Ishan Kishan played a magnificent knock that led India A to claim a close victory.
Coming to bat at no.5, the left-handed batsman scored 55 runs off 24 balls (five fours and four sixes). Later, Krunal Pandya (23*) and the lower-order batsmen secured a two-wicket victory with six balls to spare. India A chased down the 163 runs target in 20 overs after losing eight wickets. Undoubtedly, Kishan won the Player of the Match award.
Ishan Kishan has already impressed with his performances for Jharkhand and Mumbai Indians (MI). He is one of the consistent Indian wicketkeeper-batsman at present. Even the national selectors also have serious eye on this youngster.
As Rishabh Pant is disappointing, fans want Ishan Kishan in the national squad
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is playing for the senior national side. In the absence of MS Dhoni, Pant is now the regular wicketkeeper-batsman of this side. He has already played 10 Tests, 12 ODIs and 18 T20Is. In fact, Pant is now playing his 11th Test too.
However, Pant has disappointed many cricket fans with his recent batting performances. The left-handed batsman has failed to play to his potential in recent time. Many experts have claimed that Pant needs to learn more and improve his batting technique as he is throwing wickets consistently due to some reckless and pointless shots.
Read more: India A vs South Africa A – 2nd Unofficial ODI – Match Report
After watching Ishan Kishan’s latest match-winning batting performance, the Indian fans want to see him in the national team. Many have also asked the BCCI to select Kishan as the replacement of Pant at least in T20I cricket.
Here are some Twitter reactions after Ishan Kishan’s heroic batting performance
This is how it ended with a India win.
And yes, this is an A series and not Internationals.Great match! Well played, India A @BCCIdomestic
Well played, ISHAN KISHAN! ?
You deserve to be in @BCCI white ball teams?#INDAvSAA @StarSportsIndia @HotstarVIP pic.twitter.com/MMpnzu5orz— PK (@iPkoppula) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/SubhrajeetMish2/status/1167767063714099205
Watching Ishan Kishan's batting. Better technique and shot selection than Rishabh pant. Can try in T20s at least. What's say? @vikrantgupta73 #AskSportsTak @BCCIdomestic @BCCI
— Shlok Shah (@shlokshah23) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/vijaykapoor797/status/1167769129916366849
@ishankishan51 is more dangerous and better batsman than @RishabhPant17 .
I'm very confident that the future Wicketkeeper-Batsman of team India will be #IshanKishan.
He understand his responsibility very well.?✌?? #INDAvSAA— AnuBhav (@the_AnuBhavKr) August 31, 2019
A fantastic half century from Ishan Kishan- a very Rishabh Pant-esque innings, preferring the leg side for his shots. Has turned this game in favour of India A #INDAvSAA #sscricket
— thecricketblog (@thecricblogger) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/SanjuRo045/status/1167753947760582657
Ishan kishan is beta pant..has the same deficiency like pant.
— Mayuresh (@EkchilledBeer) August 31, 2019
If Rishabh Pant doesn't perform in LOIs we might soon see Ishan Kishan in the Indian team ?#INDAvSAA
— Hariharan Durairaj ??️ (@hariharan_draj) August 31, 2019
Ishan Kishan & Rishabh Pant.
Difference : Many will say Pant is more aggressive of the two.
Agree.
But I feel the major difference has been IPL.
Pant is in the right IPL team @DelhiCapitals to get more opportunity and freedom.@mipaltan I feel MI has not handled Kishan well.— KAKU काकू (@VIVEK2904_) August 31, 2019
Ishan Kishan. Been watching him since U19. Bats well in all the formats. Unfortunately for him Rishabh Pant got the nod ahead of him and RP did well in tests.@BCCI drop Pant in white ball teams and give Ishan a go. Is a better player.#INDAvSAA @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/hpOEB7YJkd
— PK (@iPkoppula) August 31, 2019
Ishan kishan – underrated ? #INDAvSAA
— Rishita. (@ImRish45) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/shubham04_/status/1167755156252975106
https://twitter.com/Ro45FC/status/1167758356028637185