Ishan Kishan received a crucial endorsement from Virat Kohli during the ongoing Test match against West Indies at Port of Spain. The young wicketkeeper-batsman revealed that Kohli personally advised him to take the number 4 spot in the second innings.
Rising to the occasion, Ishan showcased his prowess, unleashing an unbeaten 52-run blitz in just 34 balls. His innings boosted India’s scoring rate, providing ample time for the bowlers to wrap up the West Indies batting lineup.
After Yashasvi Jaiswal’s departure, Ishan Kishan partnered with Shubman Gill, displaying a dominant show against the West Indies bowlers. Their unbeaten 79-run alliance proved vital as Kishan’s power-packed innings included four boundaries and two sixes.
“It was really special. I knew what the team needed from me. Everyone backed me. Virat backed me and told me ‘go and play your game’. Let us hope we will finish the game tomorrow. It was Virat bhai who took the initiative and told me that I should go in. There was a slow left-armer who was bowling. It was a good call for the team. Sometimes you need to take these calls,” expressed a delightful Kishan, after the match.
“We had the plan that we will play 10-12 overs after the rain break and score 70-80 runs. We wanted a 370-380 target,” he added.
After establishing a massive 183-run lead in the first innings, India opted for an all-out attacking strategy in the second innings, piling up a rapid 181 for two in a mere 24 overs. Following a decisive declaration post-tea session, India set West Indies a formidable target of 365 runs.
At the end of day four, West Indies were 76 for 2 in 32 overs, with R Ashwin taking the vital wickets of Kraigg Brathwaite (28) and Kirk McKenzie (0). The home team faces the daunting challenge of scoring another 289 runs on the final day to pull off an improbable victory.
Last Updated on July 24, 2023
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