IND vs WI: Ishan Kishan Honors Rishabh Pant, Scores Maiden Test Fifty with ‘RP17’ Bat – Watch Video
Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten, scoring 52 runs off 34 deliveries while India declare the innings at 181 runs.
India’s wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan notched up his maiden Test half-century during Day 4 of the second Test against West Indies in Trinidad. He remained unbeaten, scoring 52 runs off 34 balls, while captain Rohit Sharma decided to declare the innings at 181 runs.
The Ranchi batter put on an aggressive batting display as he brought up his fifty with a Pant-esque one-handed six down the park, and later an image of the wicketkeeper batter’s bat went viral showing that he was batting with a willow that had letters ‘RP17’ written on it.
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The discussions were divided over the bat, with some suggesting he borrowed Pant’s bat, while others assumed that Kishan himself inscribed ‘RP17’ on it.
Rishabh Helped Me With The Bat Position: Ishan Kishan
Speaking after the day’s play, Kishan revealed that he had met Pant at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) ahead of the West Indies, where the Uttarakhand batter gave him some tips on bat position. Here’s what he said:
“I was at NCA before coming here. I was practicing there and Rishabh was also there for his rehab. He just got a few points for me; he asked me the bat position and everything. Because we have played so many matches together, we have been together since Under-19. So he knows how I play, what my mindset is. So he just helped 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 I am really thankful for that.”
Following India’s declaration in the second innings, West Indies found themselves at 76/2, with Ravichandran Ashwin claiming the wickets of Kraigg Brathwaite (28) and Kirk McKenzie (0).
With a target of 365, West Indies is in need of 289 more runs on Day 5 to secure victory in the second Test and level the series, while India is just eight wickets away from a clean sweep over West Indies.