In India's opening Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan on Saturday, September 2, star wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan proved unstoppable. At the Kele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, the 25-year-old player, who entered the ODI batting order at No. 5 for the first time in his career, hit 82 runs in 81 balls to rescue India and aid them in posting a respectable total against Pakistan.
In the Asia Cup, Kishan's 81-run innings against Pakistan was the highest total by a batter and overtook the previous mark held by former captain MS Dhoni (76 in 2008).
Highest score by an Indian wicket-keeper against Pakistan in Asia Cup
82 - Ishan Kishan (2023)*
76 - MS Dhoni (2008)
56 - Surinder Khanna (1984)
56 - MS Dhoni (2010)
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Hardik Pandya, who ended up becoming the team's leading scorer under Rohit Sharma, added 138 runs for the fifth wicket during his time at the crease.
Hardik scored 87 runs from 90 balls as India posted a total of 266 runs in 48.5 overs against Babar Azam & Co. in the second Group A match. But the game finished without a result, as no play was possible in the second inning due to consistent rain.
Ishan was the centre of attention throughout the match against Pakistan. Ishan is a Patna-born cricketer who represents Jharkhand in domestic cricket. However, because Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were at the top of the order, he didn't get a chance there, and the team management didn't tinker with the lineup by adjusting him at the No. 3 or 4 position either. The star left-handed hitter took advantage of the chance and scored a stunning fifty to save India.
Kishan managed to break or equal many of the records held by the likes of MS Dhoni, and Yuvraj Singh and equals Virat Kohli's record.
Ishan's fifty against Pakistan at Pallekele was his fourth consecutive one in ODI cricket. With 82 runs, he also surpassed the record for the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman against Pakistan in Asia Cup history held by the legendary MS Dhoni.
(with inputs from PTI)
