India level T20 Series in style with debutant Kishan’s blitz and Kohli’s solid knock giving a 7-wicket win
Ishan Kishan’s fearless half-century on debut and skipper Virat Kohli’s perfectly paced knock set up a series-levelling seven wicket win for India in the second T20 International against England here on Sunday.
Kishan smashed 56 off 32 balls at the top of the order and felt completely at home on the big stage, having played enough IPL cricket in a similar environment.
Chase master Kohli (73 not out off 49 balls) took charge after Kishan’s dismissal to power India to victory with 13 balls to spare.
The Indian bowlers put up a disciplined effort to restrict England to 164 for six in 20 overs after Kohli opted to bowl.
India did not have the best of starts in the chase as they lost KL Rahul in the opening over for naught, caught by Jos Buttler behind the stumps off left-arm pacer Sam Curran.
Kishan, known for his attacking batting, made a formidable England attack look ordinary with his disdainful hitting. His sensational knock comprised five fours and four sixes.
Kishan and Kohli took the attack to the opposition to stitch a quickfire 95-run stand for the second wicket.
Kishan was caught plumb in front of the wicket by Adil Rashid in the 10th over but he had done his job by then.
Kohli and Rishabh Pant (26 off 13) then shared 36 runs for the third wicket before the latter gave a simple catch to Jonny Bairstow off Chris Jordan in the 14th over to raise England’s hopes.
But it was not to be as Kohli anchored the chase perfectly. The skipper ended the game with a six off Jordan.
Earlier, Indian bowlers pulled things back brilliantly in the last five overs to concede 34 runs in the last five overs.
Monday, 15 March 2021 | PTI | Ahmedabad
