Ishan Kishan managed just one run from 20 balls before Rohit Sharma declared the innings on Day 3 of the first West Indies-India Test in Dominica.
After lunch on the third day, India were 400-4, a huge lead of 250 runs. All eyes were on the Indian batsmen’s scoring rate after the break as they eyed a possible declaration before cracking the hosts.
However, the sluggish nature of the Dominica surface compounded Turn and bounce The offer proved prohibitive for run scoring in this Test, and that continued on Day 3, with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja struggling to get going.
Kohli was soon dismissed by Rahkeem Cornwall, bringing in debutant Ishan Kishan to the crease. Kishan, who made his name in the Indian Premier League, is known as an explosive batsman. He started his ODI career with a six off his very first ball and holds the record for the fastest double century in the format.
With India dominating, some fireworks were expected from Kishan, but even he could not overcome the sluggishness of the pitch. In fact, contrary to expectations, he could not go.
India needed quick runs when the first 19 balls he faced ended up as dot balls. Indian captain Rohit Sharma looked unfazed, dressed in white and ready to lead India on the field. He motioned from the dressing room to the batters in the middle, made an ‘X’ with his hands as if to ‘stop scoring slowly,’ and asked them, “What’s going on?” curled up as if asking. When Kishan finally edged a back-of-length ball off the hip for a single in his twentieth ball, the Indian captain had had enough and declared immediately.
Kishan’s innings and Rohit’s subsequent gestures and declarations drew many reactions from the onlookers. Samuel Badrick, who was in the air at the start of West Indies’ second innings, was unconvinced by Kishan’s innings, which was his debut.
Badri said, “It will take some convincing to convince me to play and enjoy my first innings of Test match cricket. Consider it sacred. If anything, Ishan Kishan is happy with that red dot after his first Test innings.
There was a lot of reaction on social media as well, with people claiming that it was the first time they had seen an announcement delayed to cover the first runs of a debutant’s career.
Kishan Bhai opens account in test cricket followed by declaration.
— Bharat Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) July 14, 2023
I’ve been watching the sport for a while but I’ve never seen a declaration so late for a batter to mark off on his debut.
— Prithvi (@Puneite_) July 14, 2023
Was Rohit unhappy with Kishan’s defensive batting?
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) July 14, 2023
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