Ishan Kishan had a starring debut in India’s convincing seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the limited-overs series as the star wicket-keeper batsman became the first Indian to hit a six-off on his first ball in ODI cricket.
Before going out to bat in his debut ODI against Sri Lanka, young Ishan Kishan had announced in the dressing room that he would hit the first ball for a six, irrespective of the bowler and where the ball would be pitched.
And he did what he had promised by hitting a six off Dhananjaya De Silva, the home team’s off-spinner
Kishan came in at number three in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo, looking to continue the momentum laid by Prithvi Shaw. Kishan headed out to the middle in the sixth over of the innings and smashed Dhananjaya de Silva for a six-over long-on.
Kishan celebrated his 23rd birthday with a breezy 59, while Dhawan remained not out on 86 as India chased down the 263-run victory target with 13.2 overs to spare. After Shaw’s exit, Kishan continued the assault, bringing up his fifty in 33 balls. He smashed two sixes and eight boundaries before falling to spinner Lakshan Sandakan.
“I kept (wickets) for 50 overs and understood that the track didn’t have much help for the spinners. So I was determined that wherever the bowler pitches, I would hit him for a six. I had told that to everyone in the dressing room before going out to bat,” Kishan said.
Kishan took to Instagram and reacted after his heroics. “My dream turning into reality and there is no better feeling. Wearing the India blue is such an honor. Thank you everyone for your wishes and support. The goal remains to continue the hard work, giving it my all for my country,” he captioned the post on Instagram.
yWith regular captain Virat Kohli and several frontline players in England for a five-test series against Joe Root’s men, Dhawan is leading a second-string India squad in Sri Lanka
