Ishan detailed the conversation with Rishabh Pant that enabled him score an undefeated 52 off 34, which helped India set a lofty target of 365.
After two missed opportunities, Ishan Kishan was given a golden opportunity in India’s last Test innings of the West Indies trip. And, despite India’s choice to send Ishan ahead of an experienced Virat Kohli at No.4 in the second Test in Trinidad, the kid rewarded the faith with a blistering knock en route to a maiden half-century. Ishan disclosed the conversation with Rishabh Pant that enabled him score an undefeated 52 off 34 to help India set a massive target of 365 against the home team.
Pant should have been India’s wicketkeeper-batter in the Test series, as he was in the WTC final this month and the Border-Gavaskar series at home earlier this year. Pant, however, was sidelined due to a fatal vehicle accident. Even if he recovers and makes tremendous improvement, he will most certainly miss the rest of 2023.
In his absence, Ishan served as the backup option for KS Bharat during the home series and the WTC final against Australia. However, the management ultimately decided to grant Ishan his first cap during the West Indies series. Prior to India declaring in the first Test of the series in Dominica, he was given the opportunity to make his first Test run. Later, in the first innings of the second Test, he was removed for 25 off 37.
Ishan, who was inserted before Kohli in the match’s last innings, carried on the momentum started by the openers by smashing four boundaries and two sixes in his unbroken fifty-two to aid India in reaching 181 for two on Day 4.
Following the events of the day, Ishan explained how Pant’s tips from their conversation at the NCA helped him be ready for the series.
“Before coming here, I was at NCA. Rishabh was there for his rehabilitation when I was practising. He merely earned me a few points. He questioned me about the bat posture and other details after observing me playing with him. We’ve participated in a lot of games together. We’ve been friends since we were in U-19. He is aware of my playing style and frame of mind. It was a fantastic moment for him to come and chat with me, and I’m really appreciative of that,” said Kishan. “So you just help me a little bit with my bat stance and everything, otherwise I believe I also wanted someone to tell me a few things about my batting.
