Ishan Kishan slammed his maiden Test fifty in the ongoing second Test between West Indies and India on day four as India looked for quick runs in their second innings of the match being played at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
The visitors had managed to end West Indies first innings quickly on day four with Mohammed Siraj picking 5/60 as the home side was bundled out for 255 runs. In response, the Indian batters started in fourth gear and hammered the opposition bowlers in the second innings.
After gaining a lead of 183 runs after the first innings, India declared 181/2 in the second innings and set West Indies 365 runs to win the Test and level the series.
Rohit Sharma (57 in 44 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (38 in 30 balls) added 98 runs for the first wicket in almost 12 overs. Then Ishan Kishan came in after Jaiswal got out and along with Shubman Gill, smashed the Windies bowlers all around the park to put the hosts under pressure.
He shared a 79-run unbeaten stand with Gill (29 off 37). He made the opportunity count with a power-packed effort comprising four boundaries and a couple of sixes. He remained unbeaten on 52 in 34 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes, while Shubman made 29* in 37 balls.
After the day's proceedings, Ishan revealed how Rishabh Pant's advice during his interaction at the NCA helped him prepare for the series.
Both cricketers have been together since U19 days and know each other well. Recently before the West Indies tour, Indian team players were in NCA for prep and Ishan Kishan met Rishabh Pant, who has been rehabbing at the facility after his accident.
"I was at NCA before coming here. I was practising there and Rishabh was also there for his rehab. He just got a few points for me. He asked me to you know, the bat position and everything because he, had seen me playing with him. We have played together so many matches. We have been together since U-19. So he knows how I play, and what my mindset is.
So, you just help me a little bit with my bat position and everything, so otherwise I think I also wanted someone to tell me a few things about my batting and it was a great time for him to come and chat with me and really thankful for that," said Kishan.
