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Ishan Kishan (source-twitter)
Ishan Kishan turned out to be the crisis man for India as he braved the inspired Pakistani bowling. India at one stage was 66/4 and was looking down the barrel. This was after the Pakistani pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf had rocked the Indian top order.
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Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first in the biggest clash of the Asia Cup 2023. The Indian team went in with three pace bowlers and decided to rest Mohammad Shami for the game.
Pakistan went in with an unchanged squad that had won the opening game against Nepal. The hosts had beaten Nepal by a massive margin of 238 runs to start the tournament. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed had scored centuries as Pakistan scored 342 on the board.
Ishan Kishan half Century Pulls India out of Trouble
Playing his 18th game in ODI Cricket, Ishan Kishan has already shown his class with the bat. The left-hander was playing his first game against Pakistan and already created a storm with a superb ODI double ton last year.
Kishan came in at the fall of Shreyas Iyer with the score reading 48/3. After yet another rain delay, India lost their opener Shubman Gill. Ishan Kishan though was in a different mood. He began by cutting Haris Rauf for a six.
The left-hander seemed in no discomfort as he easily played the Pakistani bowlers. Spin or pace nothing fazed Ishan Kishan. The 25-year-old scored his 7th ODI half-century as he got India back into the contest.
Kishan along with Hardik Pandya added 138 runs for the 5th wicket. The stand came in 23.3 overs as both had staged a marvelous fight back. Just when it seemed Kishan was set for a century it was all over. Struggling with fitness Kishan went for a pull shot to be caught by Babar Azam off Haris Rauf. Kishan fell for 82 off 81 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes.
Hardik Pandya also was in the groove as he scored his 11th ODI half-century. The 29-year-old began playing smart cricket. The right-handed batter put away those balls that needed to be put away. With the Pakistani bowlers struggling, Pandya then changed gears as he went after the bowlers.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
TAKE A BOW, ISHAN KISHAN....!!!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 2, 2023
A fighting knock of 82 in just 81 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Completely dominated the Pakistani bowling unit. A career defining innings by Kishan, well done! pic.twitter.com/0fC46WpQil
Thank you rohit for picking him
— VilenAFC (@vilen_AFC) September 2, 2023
100 was on the card.. excellent knock though 👏👏👏
— Lubana Warriors (@LovepreetS49) September 2, 2023
One the best inning by Ishan Kishan 🔥
— Suryabhan Singh Vaghela (@suryabhansv) September 2, 2023
— Abhishek (@be_mewadi) September 2, 2023
Ishan Kishan in the last 4 ODI matches:
— Pradeep Raturi (@pradeepraturig) September 2, 2023
52(46) vs WI
55(55) vs WI
77(64) vs WI
82(81) vs PAK
He has played in tough conditions and doing so well for Team India - incredible batting performance. pic.twitter.com/cexX7dGxjD
Take a bow Ishan 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2CzzlKvV4b
— Syed Irfan Ahmad (@Iam_SyedIrfan) September 2, 2023
Going to cement his position in ODIs if he continues to play like this and Rishabh Pant might not have an easy return to ODIs.
— Bishwajeet Mahato (@mahato99) September 2, 2023