If there were any lingering doubts about who should open for India in their T20 World Cup defence, Ishan Kishan likely ended the conversation on Wednesday. In India’s lone official warm-up match at the DY Patil Stadium, Kishan’s 53 off 20 balls propelled the hosts to a massive 240/6, eventually securing a 30-run victory over South Africa.
The highlight of the evening was the fifth over of the Powerplay. Facing one of the world's fastest bowlers in Anrich Nortje, Ishan Kishan unleashed total carnage:
6, 6, 4, 6, 1, 6.
Kishan targeted the leg-side with surgical precision, including a stylish one-legged pull and a wristy whip over fine leg.
Kishan brought up his fifty in just 20 deliveries before retiring out to allow the middle order time in the middle.
With Sanju Samson struggling for rhythm (46 runs in 5 innings during the New Zealand series), Kishan’s recent form has virtually put the lid on the wicketkeeper-opener debate.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav used the match to test India’s versatility, rotating through nine different bowling options.
The spin factor: Varun Chakaravarthy was the pick of the bowlers, conceding just 12 runs in his two overs, while Abhishek Sharma proved his worth as an all-rounder with two scalps.
Harshit Rana update: The frontline pacer pulled out of his run-up twice in the opening over and left the field with a suspected niggle. He did not return to the field, leaving fans anxious ahead of the Saturday opener.
Bumrah rested: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah did not feature, purely as a precautionary rest.
Top 3: The left-handed trio of Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma (who returned from surgery with a fluent 45) looks set for the top order.
Middle Order: Hardik Pandya’s late-inning 30 off 10 balls showed he is peaking just in time for the tournament.
Bowling depth: Defending a massive total without Bumrah and with a depleted Rana showed that India's other options like Shivam Dube and Axar Patel can handle high-scoring chases, even if the margins get tight.
