Ishan Kishan shines on debut as India level the T20I series versus England

Team India level the T20 Series 1-1 against England – thanks to a magnificent debut by Ishan Kishan. Kishan who began his innings with a boundary displayed a fearless style of cricket and showed he was ready for the big stage. Captain Kohli top scored for the team with a 73* and guided his team safely to victory.

Having won the toss and chose to bowl, Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck in the first over by trapping Buttler in front of stumps for a golden duck. Jason Roy and Dawid Malan stabilized the situation with a 63 run partnership before Malan was out LBW to leggie Chahal via DRS. England looked good at 83-2 setting up the base for a huge target in the last 10 overs.

Jason Roy fell 4 runs short of his half century shortly as  Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a high skier look so easy off the bowling of Washington Sundar. Bairstow also departed briefly after being kept quiet. With 5 overs remaining England were at 129-4 with Morgan and Stokes at the crease.

Unfortunately both English batsmen couldn’t kick it off as England managed only 2 boundaries in the last five – thanks to a brilliant spell of bowling in the death overs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur. England managed to put just 164-6 in 20 overs.

Needing 165 runs to defend, Sam Curran bowled an exceptional first over – a maiden and a wicket to remove KL Rahul for a duck. Debutant Ishan Kishan who replaced Shikhar Dhawan smashed a four first ball against Jofra Archer to open his account in International Cricket. Kishan kept playing his natural game as he welcomed Tom Curran with a Six in the powerplay! Captain Kohli who joined Kishan after the fall of first wicket played his original shots as the duo put on a 50 partnership in powerplay.

Ben Stokes faced similar fate as Tom Curran as Kohli and Kishan hit a SIX each to welcome the all rounder in to the attack. Stokes conceded 17 runs in his first over while Curran gave away 16 runs!

Ishan Kishan continued his fearless style of cricket as he put the ball in to the crowd 5 times in total. He brought up his half century in 28 balls with a maximum. Kishan fell shortly after he tried reverse sweeping a flipper by Adil Rashid – trapped in front for 56 runs in 32 balls. Kohli and Kishan put on a partnership of 94 runs in 9 overs!

Captain Kohli continued his batting brilliance with Rishabh Pant as both the batsmen continued to foster the run flow. Pant departed after smacking 2 fours & 2 sixes in his 13 ball 26 cameo.

Kohli also brought up his half century with a maximum off Tom Curran as Indian raced towards the target. Kohli was ruthless post his half century as he finished the innings on 73* in 49 balls which included 3 sixes. Kohli became the first man to score 3000 International runs as he finished the match with a six.

Match Summary: India v England 2nd T20I

England 164-6 in 20 overs
Jason Roy 46 (35) – 4 fours & 2 sixes
Eoin Morgan 28 (20) – 4 fours
Washington Sundar 4-0-29-2
Shardul Thakur 4-0-29-2

India 166-3 in 17.5 overs
Ishan Kishan 56 (32) – 5 fours & 4 sixes
Virat Kohli 73*(49) – 5 fours & 3 sixes

INDIA WON BY 7 WICKETS

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ishan Kishan

Playing XIs

England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid

India: KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal