Batting for just the third time in Test cricket, Ishan Kishan gave an account of his fearless approach with the bat on Day 4 of the ongoing Test match against India and West Indies in Trinidad on July 23 (Sunday). The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter played a lightning cameo and smacked Windies bowlers around the park before Indian skipper Rohit Sharma decided to declare the innings.
Kishan, who is known for taking attack to the opposition team's bowling attack, registered a thumping half-century and remained unbeaten on 52 runs off 34 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes.
Kishan walked out to bat at No.4, a spot usually occupied by Virat Kohli. With India in search of some quick runs and left-arm spinner bowling from one end, Kishan was promoted up the order to take advantage of the match-up. The wicketkeeper-batter revealed that Kohli took the initiative and asked him to go in and play his natural game.
"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 stumps on Day 4.
"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.
India are currently in the driver's seat in the ongoing second Test match against West Indies. Mohammed Siraj's five-wicket haul shot down the hosts for just 255 runs in the first innings, enabling the visitors to pocket a massive lead. India batters came out all guns blazing in the second innings with captain Rohit leading the charge. India declared after scoring 181/2 in 24 overs, setting a daunting target of 365 runs for West Indies. In reply, the hosts scored 76 runs and lost two wickets before the end of the day's play on June 23 (Sunday).
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WI vs IND: Rohit, Ishan smack record half-centuries, Ashwin weaves his magic, India 8 wickets away from winning series 2-0
WI vs IND: With Rishabh Pant's initials marked on his bat, Ishan Kishan shatters MS Dhoni's record, scores half-century at strike rate of 152.94
