Indian left-handed batsman Ishan Kishan played a risk-filled innings to reach his fifty on debut. He became only the second Indian player after Robin Uthappa to score a fifty on debut in both T20I’s as well as ODI’s.
Earlier against England at home, Kishan had smashed a fifty that had put the spotlight on him at the international stage. He has now carried it into the ODI’s, against a relatively weaker Lankan side, however.
Sri Lanka set a target of 263 courtesy some useful lower contributions. Although it wasn’t a daunting task, it was tricky as the track was assisting spinners. But Prithvi Shaw quashed all doubts that were planted in Indian fans’ minds. He carried his form over from the IPL and laid a platform being dismissed.
In walked birthday boy, Ishan Kishan who continued the onslaught on his debut. He struck a six off his very first ball in ODI’s, and went on to score a fifty off just 33 balls. He had luck going his way for a part of the innings, but it doesn’t take anything away from his scathing knock.
Kishan and Shaw showed the kind of mentality the younger generation is carrying. They played sans any pressure and destroyed the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Kishan in particular took a liking to the spinners.
He adopted a different style compared to Shaw. While the latter was bereft of feet movement, Kishan was down the track to most of the deliveries. This helped him counter the spin that was on offer. It was the perfect start to his ODI career and Twitterati praised the young lad for his innings.
Here are some of the laurels on Twitter:
Happy birthday @ishankishan51 . What a lovely start to your odi career šš¼šš½
The landscape for odi cricket is changing š
— DK (@DineshKarthik) July 18, 2021
Is @ishankishan51 first Indian to score fifty in his debut Odi and T20? What a day for young man from Patna who has played such a fiery innings on his birthday. #INDvsSL #SLvIND #ishankishan
— R P Singh ą¤°ą„ą¤¦ą„ą¤° ą¤Ŗą„ą¤°ą¤¤ą¤¾ą¤Ŗ ą¤øą¤æą¤ą¤¹ (@rpsingh) July 18, 2021
Ishan Kishan's first ball in T20 internationals– 4. First ball in ODIs–6!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 18, 2021
33 balls Fifty for Ishan Kishan in Debut ODI Match. What an Innings by this Young man. He scored 52* runs from 33 balls including 8 fours and 2 Sixes against Sri Lanka while chasing. #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/pewClxy5F8
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 18, 2021
Ishan Kishan 50 š„ heās brought up his first ODI half century on debut. How lucky for his birthday he gifted us with this exciting innings? š #SLvIND
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 18, 2021
ā Half-century on T20I debut
ā Half-century on ODI debutIshan Kishan's international career has begun with a bang ššŖ#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #SLvIND
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 18, 2021
Suryakumar Yadav Started his international Career with a Six.
Now Ishan Kishan started his ODI career with a Six. pic.twitter.com/jdn6mt24UX
— V I P E Rā¢ (@VIPERoffl) July 18, 2021
Ishan Kishan:
Half Century on T20I debut
Half Century on ODI debut
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) July 18, 2021
2nd fastest fifty on ODI debut . Crazy Ishan Kishan #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/OVOwhsgAWQ
— Arpan (@ThatCricketHead) July 18, 2021
Dream debut for Ishan Kishan in international cricket, half century in both ODI and T20I. My king is here to rule. So proud @ishankishan51 pic.twitter.com/Ty88k8sBay
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) July 18, 2021