Ishan Kishan breaks India's T20I record from number five or lower
Ishan Kishan scored an unbeaten 80 to break India's T20I record from number five or lower. His knock helped India beat Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the Asian Games semi-final.
Ishan Kishan scored an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls to become India's highest scorer from number five or lower in T20Is during the Asian Games semi-final against Sri Lanka. Kishan surpassed Manish Pandey's eight-year-old record of 79 not out against South Africa in Centurion in 2018.
Kishan came to the crease with India in trouble at 87 for 4 after Sri Lanka's spinners made regular inroads on a turning pitch. He hit four boundaries and five sixes while accelerating through the middle and death overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 38 off 21 balls provided early momentum before his dismissal.
India reached 169 for 7 and then bowled Sri Lanka out for 45 to win by 124 runs. Kishan's knock sets up a gold medal match against Pakistan on Saturday at Nisshin.
CricHubb Take
Kishan's record-breaking knock validates his selection over other wicketkeeper-batters for the number five role in T20Is. The innings shows his ability to accelerate on turning pitches when the top order fails, a skill that becomes crucial in Asian conditions.