WI v IND, 2nd ODI: Ishan Kishan continues to impress in World Cup audition, hits 2nd successive fifty

By India Today Sports Desk: Ishan Kishan continued to impress in his audition for a spot in the ODI World Cup spot as the left-handed batter hit his second successive ODI fifty in the 2nd ODI against the West Indies on Saturday, July 29. Ishan hit a run-a-ball 55 after getting another opportunity to open the batting.

Ishan Kishan scored a fifty in India’s successful but jittery chase of 115 against the West Indies in the first ODI. The left-hander mixed caution with intent on a not-so-easy batting pitch at the Kensington Oval.

Ishan was given another opportunity at the top of the order in the 2nd ODI after the visitors chose to rest both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and bring in Sanju Samson and Axar Patel.

West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl and Ishan Kishan helped India set the tone right, coming out all guns blazing against the West Indies pacers. The left-handed batter hit 6 sixes and a boundary before he fell in the 18th over of the Indian innings. Ishan looked good before he went for a cut short against Romario Shepherd which was exceptionally caught at point by Alick Athanaze.

Ishan, who hit the fastest ODI double hundred in Bangladesh in 2022, looked disappointed after his dismissal, knowing he had missed another opportunity to build on his fifty and get a big one.

Ishan Kishan is putting his hand up for a back-up opener spot for the ODI World Cup. The flexibility that Ishan has shown in terms of batting at the top and in the middle-order and his wicketkeeping skills make him a good contender for a spot in the World Cup squad.

Ishan Kishan has had a productive tour of the West Indies. His talent and prowess were on full display during the second Test in Port of Spain, where he smashed a half-century, contributing significantly to India’s massive total of 365 runs. Kishan’s performance in the second Test was nothing short of heroic. He scored a quick-fire 52 off just 33 balls, helping India set a daunting target for the West Indies.