In a breathtaking display of power hitting, Ishan Kishan, the pocket-sized dynamite, blazed his way to a maiden Test fifty off just 33 balls during India’s second innings on Day 4 of the thrilling second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. With India declaring at 181/2, Kishan’s scintillating knock set a formidable target of 365 runs for West Indies, igniting hopes of a resounding 2-0 series victory for the visitors.
Kishan brings up his fifty with a six
A glimpse of Kishan’s immense potential was witnessed during his Test debut in Dominica, where he announced his arrival with a composed first run off 20 balls. However, in the first Test of this series, the southpaw’s flair was somewhat subdued, managing 25 runs off 37 deliveries. But as the saying goes, “form is temporary, class is permanent,” and the second innings in Port of Spain saw Kishan unfurl his true brilliance.
As India sought to set a formidable target, Kishan stepped into the limelight with unparalleled aggression. Like a tornado unleashed upon the crease, he smashed four boundaries and two towering sixes in his unbeaten 52-run spectacle, captivating spectators with every stroke.
The moment of glory arrived when Kishan effortlessly launched a one-handed six over long-on on the fifth delivery of the 24th over, bowled by Kemar Roach. With that audacious shot, he not only registered his fifty but also left fans gasping in amazement at the sheer audacity of the stroke. The falling sweep that followed on the very next delivery served as a sweet reminder of Rishabh Pant, his under-19 teammate, whose shoes he aspires to fill.
Ishan Kishan batted with Rishabh Pant‘s bat?
Adding to the intrigue, fans were quick to spot ‘RP17’ meticulously printed on the bat that Kishan wielded with such authority. The bat once belonging to Pant seemed to have found new life in the hands of this emerging talent, further fueling excitement among cricket aficionados.
Kishan’s blitzkrieg helped propel India’s total to a remarkable 181/2 in a mere 24 overs before their declaration. The young prodigy’s pyrotechnics were aptly complemented by Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s 38 off 30 deliveries, and skipper Rohit Sharma‘s commanding 57 off 44 balls. Shubman Gill, the resolute anchor, remained unbeaten on 29 off 37, bolstering India’s batting prowess.
Now, the stage is set for an enthralling final act at Queen’s Park Oval, as India set a daunting target of 365 for West Indies to chase down in three and a half sessions. With Kishan’s heroics igniting hope and determination within the Indian camp, the visitors look poised to clinch a historic series victory.
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