Ishan Kishan reveals who decided to promote him up the order in 2nd innings of 2nd test vs WI

Ishan Kishan slammed his maiden Test fifty in 33 deliveries with 4 fours and 2 sixes to his name.

Ishan Kishan revealed which Indian cricketer took the initiative and sacrificed his spot so that he could bat up the order and score quickly in the second innings of the ongoing second Test against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

India managed to end West Indies' first innings on 255 with Mohammed Siraj running through the middle and lower order to end with figures of 5/60, while Mukesh Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each.

This meant that India had a massive lead of 183 runs to play with and went for an all-out attack in the second innings to smash 181 for two in 24 overs before declaring 35 minutes after the tea break to set the home team a 365-run target.

Ishan Kishan was promoted to bat at number 4 on Day 4—Kohli's position—and the southpaw didn't let anyone down. He scored an unbroken 52 runs off 34 balls to help India score quickly in the second innings, giving the bowlers plenty of time to dismiss West Indies.

It was Virat bhai who told me that I should go in: Ishan Kishan

Before him, Rohit Sharma (57 in 44 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (38 in 30 balls) had already added 98 runs for the first wicket in 12 overs. Ishan Kishan came in after Jaiswal got out and along with Shubman Gill, smashed the Windies bowlers all around the park to put the hosts under pressure.

He shared a 79-run unbeaten stand with Gill (29 off 37). He made the opportunity count with a power-packed effort comprising four boundaries and a couple of sixes.

After the day’s play, Kishan revealed that it was Virat Kohli who advised the management to send him at no.4 to up the scoring rate.

“It was really special (the half-century). 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," said Kishan after the day’s play.

“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.

At stumps on day four, West Indies were 76 for 2 in 32 overs with R Ashwin removing Kraigg Brathwaite (28) and Kirk McKenzie (0). The hosts need another 289 runs on the final day for an improbable win.