Ishan Kishan’s impressive innings of 77 runs against Pakistan has earned him accolades from his childhood coach, Uttam Mazumdar. His performance was crucial in leading India to a 61-run victory in the ongoing T20 World Cup, marking their third consecutive win in the tournament.
Facing high pressure against their long-standing rivals, Kishan’s solid innings also featured excellent wicketkeeping, including a stumping that dismissed the threatening Usman Khan. Mazumdar expressed his delight over his pupil’s accomplishment, stating that scoring runs against Pakistan is a noteworthy achievement, especially following his previous performance in the Asia Cup where he had also made significant contributions.
Proud Family Reactions to Ishan’s Performance
Ishan’s family in Patna, Bihar, has expressed immense pride in both his personal achievements and India’s success. His father, Pranav, conveyed a profound sense of accomplishment, stating that Ishan’s hard work over the past two years in domestic cricket has paid off.
He emphasized the importance of the team’s collective effort and noted that India’s strong performance during the match made him hopeful for continued success. Ishan’s mother also shared her joy over the victory but took the opportunity to dismiss any discussions surrounding her son’s marriage, underscoring that the focus remains on cricket, especially during the World Cup. She humorously remarked that Ishan is not at an age for marriage yet.
Match Summary: India vs Pakistan
In the match, Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first. Ishan Kishan’s aggressive batting stood out, particularly after his opening partner was dismissed without scoring. Along with Tilak Varma, who made a steadier contribution of 25 runs, Kishan anchored the innings despite some early setbacks. India managed to score 175 runs for the loss of 7 wickets, even though they faced challenges losing key players including Hardik Pandya, who returned to the pavilion without scoring. Saim Ayub emerged as Pakistan’s top bowler, finishing with figures of 3 wickets for 25 runs.
Pakistan’s Struggles in the Run Chase
During their chase, Pakistan struggled significantly, slipping to 34 runs for the loss of 4 wickets due to effective bowling from Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Axar Patel. Usman Khan was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring 44 runs off 34 balls, but the team’s overall performance was inadequate, resulting in a total of just 114 runs in 18 overs.
India’s bowlers were instrumental in this victory, with Axar Patel leading the attack with figures of 2 for 29 in 4 overs, aided by impactful performances from Hardik, Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy. This win ensures India maintains its top position in Group A, with three wins out of three matches. In contrast, Pakistan has now dropped to third place with two victories and one defeat, while the USA currently stands second in the group.