PremiumIND vs PAK I Asia Cup 2023: Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya save the day for India, and fans can't keep calm
Both Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya managed to score 82 and 87 each after India lost three wickets in quick succession
Last Updated: 07.49 PM, Sep 02, 2023
As India takes on arch rivals Pakistan in the first match of Asia Cup 2023, expectations are soaring high on both sides. The match is being played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy in Sri Lanka. India made a promising start against Pakistan as the team scored 15/0 in four overs, before rain interrupted the play. However, when the match resumed, things turned topsy turvy.
India loses three wickets in a quick span
India lost three wickets within the span of 10 overs, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer getting out in quick succession and thus, bringing Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya to the crease. Both went on to score 50.
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya come to the rescue
Hardik Pandya, who batted along with him and also scored a half century. However, Ishan Kishan was ousted by Haris Rauf at 82, Shaheen Afridi managed to take the wicket of Hardik Pandya who scored a quick 87 in just 90 balls. Batting under tremendous pressure, both cricketers today massively stepped up their game and delivered an innings to remember.
Commentator Harsha Bhogle was all praise for Ishan Kishan. He wrote on his social media handle, "Love the composure and maturity that Ishan Kishan has shown. This has been an admirable innings. A left hander in the middle order is invaluable and he has forced the selectors to look at him closely (sic)"
Twitter reacts to Ishan and Hardik's innings
Meanwhile Twitterati was all praise for the two cricketers. One of the Twitter users wrote, "Troll him for anything but Hardik Pandya stepping up against Pakistan when top order collapsed deserves every bit of appreciation. Well deserved half century for him (sic)."
Another user wrote, "TAKE A BOW, ISHAN KISHAN....!!!A fighting knock of 82 in just 81 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Completely dominated the Pakistani bowling unit. A career defining innings by Kishan, well done! (sic)."