Ishan Kishan became the second Indian batsman after Ajinkya Rahane to hit a fifty on his T20I debut.
Indian batsman Ishan Kishan, who scored a half-century on his T20I debut against England in the second T20I, while talking about his innings said that he wants to dedicate his innings to his coach’s dad who died recently.
Chasing 165 runs to win, Team India were in a spot of bother as they lost opener Kl Rahul for duck and were reduced to 0/1 at the end of the first over.
However, debutant Ishan Kishan announced himself on the international stage in style as he flicked away the first ball for four and then later registered a blistering half-century in 28 balls.
He reached to his half century in style, hitting Adil Rashid for two back-to-back sixes and stitched an important 94-runs partnership with skipper Virat Kohli, who scored unbeaten 73 runs, which saw Team India chasing the total in 18th over and level the series 1-1.
His innings of 56 runs included 5 fours and 4 sixes as he smashed English bowlers all around the park with ease.
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While talking about his innings at the post-match presentation, Ishan Kishan said that he wants to dedicate his innings to his coach’s dad who passed away recently.
"This innings is for my coach's dad who passed away a few days ago. I was speaking to him (coach) and he wanted me to score a century for his dad," Ishan Kishan said during the post match presentation.
Kishan credited senior players who hold him to express himself. He further lauded his IPL franchise Mumbai Indians for teaching him a lot.
"Credit goes to my seniors who told me to go and express myself. It is not easy to come and play your first game against a quality side like England. Mumbai Indians taught me a lot and I want to continue the momentum," he said.
The left-handed batsman said that he was disappointed with himself that he couldn’t finish the game.
"I wanted to finish the game and I knew there was a senior player (Virat Kohli) batting superbly at the other end. I was disappointed with the fact that I didn't finish the game," said Ishan Kishan.
Kishan further rated his six off Tom Curran's first ball (in innings' sixth over) as the best shot and thanked his coaches, seniors and everyone for helping him to get him to this stage.
“The shot that I smashed Tom for a six off his first ball, that was special. I don't know if I am going to get this feeling again (fifty on debut), but I am really proud and happy. I want to thank all my coaches, seniors and everyone who helped me get to this stage," he concluded.
Ishan Kishan was awarded man of the match for his knock of 56 runs and became only the second Indian batsman after Ajinkya Rahane to hit a fifty on his T20I debut
(IANS inputs)