The five-match T20I series between the world’s two strongest teams has just gotten a lot more exciting! After being played in the preceding contest, India bounced back in style with an unbeaten 73 by Virat Kohli. In comparison, Ishan Kishan, who made his international debut with a dazzling 56, has essentially relegated Shikhar Dhawan to the bench for the rest of the series. In the slog overs, the Indian bowlers deserve praise for holding things close.
The hosts got off to a bad start, losing KL Rahul for a duck. However, India started to gather momentum after Kohli arrived, and the skipper established a partnership with debutant Ishan Kishan. Before being dismissed, Kishan also made a half-century (56 off 32 balls). Rishabh Pant added 26 runs to the tally, while Shreyas Iyer (8) remained unbeaten alongside Kohli. In the second T20I, the visitors’ bowlers struggled to find their rhythm, with Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, and Adil Rashid each taking a wicket. Earlier, the visitors were reduced to 164 for six in 20 innings, with Jason Roy (46 off 35) missing out on a half-century for the second time.
Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur were in good form for India’s bowling attack, each taking two wickets. Meanwhile, both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal were shot. The victory also helped India tie the series 1-1, with the third T20I set for March 16.
Ishan Kishan had a dream debut, being just the second Indian batsman to score a half-century in his first Twenty20 International outing. On Sunday, Kishan scored 56 runs off 32 balls in the second T20I of the five-match series. Dhoni made his mark on the international stage when he was given the opportunity to bat higher in the order, and Kishan did the same when he was given the chance to open the innings, which he grabbed with both hands.
Virender Sehwag, a former India batsman, praised the young wicketkeeper-batsman who plays domestic cricket for Jharkhand on Twitter, comparing him to former India captain MS Dhoni. “A young keeper-batsman from Jharkhand promoted up the batting order and proving his caliber. This has happened before. Loved the fearlessness and attacking batting of Ishan Kishan,” Sehwag tweeted.
