Twitter lauds Ishan Kishan as youngster scores 82 under pressure against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 Group A fixture

Ishan Kishan scored 82 runs off 81 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes in his innings.

Wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan’s brave knock let India breathe in their opening Asia Cup clash against Pakistan in Kandy. Kishan’s splendid half-century put India back in the front seat as he along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya added 138 run stand for the 5th wicket. Shaheen Afridi picked up early wickets after the initial rain break and sent India captain Rohit Sharma and number 3 batsman Virat Kohli back into the hut. Soon, Haris Rauf also chipped in with 2 wickets and got Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. After these 4 wickets, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya took charge and brought India back into the game. 

Kishan's 4th consecutive fifty

Ishan Kishan played a magnificent knock of 82 runs in 81 balls with 9 fours and 2 sky-high sixes. Kishan looked comfortable in his inning and he along with Hardik Pandya allowed India to have a breather after Pakistan’s early attack on their top-order. Kishan didn’t look stuck in his wicket and kept on the scoring rate going around 5-6 Runs per over in his inning. Kishan’s approach made Babar Azam and Pakistani bowlers go back a little in defensive mode. Kishan also moved his feet nicely against spinners and didn’t allow Shadab Khan and Mohamad Nawaz to settle down in their rhythm. 

Here's how twitter reacted to Ishan Kishan's brilliant innings:

Coming as the replacement of KL Rahul in this encounter, Fans are now demanding to let him play as he is running high in confidence in this format. Ishan Kishan has now smashed 4 consecutive half-centuries in his last 4 ODI innings. He smashed back-to-back three fifties against West Indies in the 3-match ODI series in July. His innings has now provided India a comfortable position as they are cruising ahead towards a big score in the innings. Fans were elated to see Kishan taking up this huge responsibility on his shoulders in a big-pressure game like this. 

Hardik Pandya is also going strong with his innings as number 6 batter in the Indian middle order. Kishan and Pandya’s partnership came in as a blessing in disguise and as a preparation for the worst-case scenario in the upcoming World Cup. In case Rahul gets ruled out, Kishan will be playing as his replacement and Pandya is fixed as the Number 6 batter. Both of these guys will be crucial for India when top-order falters like this in a crucial game. Team India will be looking to close down their innings close to 300 runs mark.