IND vs WI: Ishan Kishan Is Able To Fill In For Rishabh Pant: Mohammed Siraj

While replacing a player of Rishabh Pant’s caliber is not an easy task for any team in the world, Mohammed Siraj believes Ishan Kishan has the potential to do so. The fast-bowlers comments came after the wicketkeeper-batsman’s whirlwind fifty in the second innings of the ongoing Test against West Indies at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

Playing just his second Test, Ishan Kishan smashed an unbeaten 52 off just 34 balls. Kishan, who scored 25 runs in the first innings, reached his fifty in style by hitting a six down the ground. Thanks to his quickfire fifty, India scored 181 for 2 in just 24 overs before declaring their innings to set West Indies a target of 365 runs.

Before Ishan Kishan, skipper Rohit Sharma had also scored a quick fifty. The right-handed batsman scored 57 off just 44 balls to set the tone for the innings. In reply, West Indies were on 76 for 2 at stumps on day four. The hosts need 289 runs more to draw level in the series.

Also Read: IND vs WI: “He Showed He Is The Leader Of The Pack” – Courtney Walsh Lauds Mohammed Siraj For His Impressive Bowling

Mohammed Siraj on Ishan Kishan:

Speaking at the post-day press conference, Mohammed Siraj heaped praise on Ishan Kishan and said that the youngster has the ability to fill in for Rishabh Pant. While the pacer admitted that one just cannot replace Pant in the team, he said that Kishan can do a good job. Siraj highlighted the youngster’s ability to hit the ball hard and long all around the park.

“Yes, Ishan is an aggressive batter. Rishabh Pant is not there, so as a wicketkeeper, he (Ishan) is able to fill in for Pant’s loss to a certain extent, if not completely,” Siraj told the media.

“He has the ability to hit the ball long and hard. He has the ability to hit all around the ground. We had enough runs on the board (first innings lead), so our plan was to score as many (runs in the second innings) in a short period and then (after declaration), we would be able to get more overs to bowl out the West Indies,” he added.

Siraj has also played a key role in India’s dominance in the Test so far. On the fourth day of the Test, he completely dismantled West Indies’ lower order to help India take the last five wickets for just 26 runs. Siraj finished the innings with a career-best spell of 5 for 60.

Also Read: MLC 2023: Watch: 4, 6, 6, 4, 6: Nicholas Pooran Smashes Three Sixes In Four Balls As MI New York Chase Down 160 In Just 15.3 Overs