Team India’s left-handed batsman Ishan Kishan revealed that he intended to hit a six off the first ball prior to facing the delivery. The Mumbai Indians keeper smashes the second-fastest fifty on debut, which came off just 33 balls.
After Prithvi Shaw initially set up a platform, Ishan Kishan came in to build on it. He smashed the first two balls he faced for boundaries and continued to play a care-free knock. He eventually got dismissed for a 42-ball 59 but Kishan had already played his part. India went on to win the game by 7 wickets with 80 balls to spare.
Ishan Kishan has announced his arrival in ODIs, IN STYLE! 🙌
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In a casual interview with Yuzvendra Chahal on ‘Chahal TV’, Ishan Kishan revealed he had already made plans to hit the first ball for a six.
“I knew that there was no assistance for the spinners. So I knew it was the right moment to go for a six. And I had already told you guys [Indian team] that no matter where the ball drops, and whoever bowls the ball, I will hit it for a six,” he said.
Chahal TV returns – Ishan Kishan reveals the secret behind his first ball SIX and more 👌 👌
Some fun & cricket talks as @yuzi_chahal chats up with ODI debutant @ishankishan51 😎😎 – by @ameyatilak & @28anand
Full video 🎥 👇 #TeamIndia #SLvIND https://t.co/BWQJMur8zx pic.twitter.com/HtFGNyoHeI
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 19, 2021
“If I am able to hit it, why not continue hitting” – Ishan Kishan
The audacity with which Ishan Kishan played, showed he belongs to the international stage. Having already put up a fifty on his T20I debut, Kishan went on to repeat the feat in the ODI’s as well. While out in the middle, skipper Shikhar Dhawan had apparently asked Kishan to take things slowly. Kishan however, was not about to relent. Talking to Ajay Jadeja during the post-match interview, he said:
“I told him [Dhawan] to just forget all that and just give me the strike. If I am able to hit it, why not continue hitting. Everyone asks for a return gift, so I always wanted to give it by playing a good knock and helping the team win.”
Prior to the match, head coach Rahul Dravid had informed Kishan that he would be batting at No.3. Kishan made great use of the opportunity and played a blazing innings during his 85-run partnership with Dhawan.
“Dravid Sir had already told me during the practice sessions that I will bat at No.3. So whatever practice I had to do with the new ball, obviously I was doing for a long time. It was not something that we decided during the match, it was decided beforehand,” he reckoned.