Mumbai Indians (MI) wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan justified the Rs 15.25 crore price tag with a dominating performance against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Brabourne stadium, Mumbai. In MI’s campaign opener, Kishan scored an unbeaten 81-run knock which helped him enter Indian Premier League (IPL) history books.
Kishan is the only batter in IPL who has more than 500 runs with an average over 60. Kishan also achieved a rare feat with the fifty-plus score. Kishan became the second batter after Yuvraj Singh to hit fifty runs or more in the first match of the season as most expensive auctioned player.
The 23-year-old equalled legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s MI record as well. The left-handed batter became the second MI batter to hit three consecutive half-centuries. Before the 81-run knock, he scored 84 and 50 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) respectively.
Opening the innings with skipper Rohit Sharma, Kishan reached his half-century in the 17th over with a six off Axar Patel. He accelerated in the death overs and remained unbeaten for 81 runs. His 81-run knock included 11 fours and two sixes.
Kishan gets injured
After the knock, Kishan went for a scan. He was hit on the toe in the 18th over bowled by Shardul Thakur. In Kishan’s absence, Aryan Juyal donned the keeping gloves when Rohit-s bridage took the field.
The 81-run knock helped MI post 177/5 on the board after Rishabh Pant won the toss and asked MI to bat first.
