In their only warm-up encounter before the T20 World Cup in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, India defeated South Africa by 30 runs thanks to a minute-a-mile half-century from in-form Ishan Kishan, securing his spot in the top order.
As Indian hitters amassed a commanding 241/5 on a calm surface at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Ishan went hammer and tongs to smash seven sixes and two fours in his 20-ball 53. The defending T20 World Cup champions then limited South Africa to 210/7 by using up to nine bowling options, including three overs from Abhishek Sharma (2/32).
India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah did not play in the game and frontline pacer Harshit Rana (0/16) left the field after finishing his lone over of the evening. During that over, he pulled out of his run-up twice and ultimately did not return.
George Linde (0) was bowled for a four-ball duck in the first over by Arshdeep Singh (1/29) as part of South Africa’s experiment with opening with Aiden Markram (38 retired out).
Jason Smith hammered 35 off 23 balls with four fours and a six, while Ryan Rickelton smashed 44 off 21 balls with three sixes and four boundaries. Tristan Stubbs hit four sixes to reach a 21-ball 45 not out as Dewald Brevis (2) fell cheaply.
Earlier, Ishan showed his array of strokes including some powerful flicks on the on-side that went sailing over the ropes to make the only half-century of the game.
Ishan, who struck 103 in the final T20 against New Zealand last week, came out firing on all cylinders to put on an 80-run stand with Abhishek (24 off 17 balls, retired out) inside the powerplay.
Ishan displayed a variety of skills earlier in the first half, including some strong on-side flips that flew over the ropes to score the game’s lone half-century. After smashing 103 in last week’s final Twenty20 match against New Zealand, Ishan came out firing, putting on an 80-run partnership with Abhishek (24 off 17 balls, retired out) inside the powerplay.
In the tournament’s opening match against the USA at Wankhede on February 7, Ishan and Abhishek are anticipated to open the batting as Sanju Samson is woefully out of form. When Ishan reached his fifty, he left right away, giving India the chance to have one last hit before the USA match.
With a furious knock, the wicketkeeper-batter set the tone while playing on a familiar field. With four sixes and a four smashed into Anrich Nortje in the game’s fifth over, Ishan hit as many as 29 runs. He even attempted to avoid a bouncer once, but Nortje’s delivery struck the blade and flew over the fine leg fielder for a six.
Even though Abhishek did not show up in his typical form, he managed three fours and a six while Ishan was playing at his best.
Tilak Varma, who had demonstrated his readiness and health for the ICC event following an injury layoff in India A’s last match two nights ago, stormed to 45 off just 19 balls with three sixes and an equal number of fours before Marco Jansen cleaned him up.
Even while his signature leg-side flicks were not always successful, India captain Suryakumar Yadav (30 off 16 balls; 2 fours, 2 sixes) also sought to maximize his time in the middle. Hardik Pandya produced the late pyrotechnics, hitting three sixes and two fours to get 30 off 10 balls before falling to Corbin Bosch. Vice-captain Axar slammed a couple of powerful hits for a 23-ball 35.
Rinku Singh scored 16 and was struck on the helmet by a Bosch delivery during his knock.
