India’s batters unleashed a six-hitting spree in a T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa, piling up 240-5 at the DY Patil Stadium. Ishan Kishan starred with a 20-ball 53, while Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya chipped in with rapid-fire cameos as the hosts dominated the Proteas attack
(Left) Opener Ishan Kishan during his 20-ball 50 vs SA at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on Wednesday; (right) Tilak Varma during his 19-ball 45 on Wednesday. PICS/ATUL KAMBLE
Though it was a warm-up or practice game for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian had clear intentions — try to hit every ball for a six or at least four — against South Africa on Wednesday. And they executed it perfectly, posting 240-5 in their allotted 20 overs at the DY Patil Stadium.
The hosts hammered 19 sixes and 15 fours as the visitors managed just 33 dot balls.
Electing to bat, the explosive batting contest between openers Abhishek Sharma (18-ball 24, 3x4, 1x6) and Ishan Kishan (20-ball 53, 2x4, 7x6) was clearly won by the latter
Both batters picked the right deliveries and the length early to execute their fearless approach. In fact, it seemed as though the Jharkhand batter was dealing only in sixes.
Kishan dispatched senior SA pacer Lungi Ngidi (0-23) for two sixes in the first over itself. His third six came when he picked another senior SA pacer Kagiso Rabada (0-44) for a maximum over the square-leg fence.
When Kishan brought up his quarter-century in 12 balls, Abhishek was on just two. However, with three successive fours off pacer Corbin Bosch (1-31), the left-hander moved into double figures almost instantly.
Three sixes off Anrich Nortje from Kishan thereafter saw India reach 73-0 in just five overs. Kishan celebrated his half-century by smashing pacer Kwena Maphaka (1-19) for his seventh six, reaching 53 off just 20 balls.
The Proteas got some relief thereafter, though, as Team India decided to retire Kishan out. The fit-again Tilak Varma (45 off 19 balls) then took over, hammering three fours and as many sixes during his short stay at the wicket.
Skipper Suryakumar (16-ball 30) began with a six off the very first ball he faced off Nortje.
However, his innings was cut short when he attempted the same shot against Maphaka in the 13th over but was caught by George Linde in the deep.
Later, all-rounder Hardik Pandya also got among the runs, hitting two fours and three sixes for his 10-ball 30.
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