New Delhi, February 12 If Sanju Samson's three-sixes innings was like a short-lived Instagram reel, Ishan Kishan's batting was a gripping web series, full of drama, action, and suspense.
Kishan smashed the Namibian club-class attack to score 61 off 24 balls, but the Indian batsmen struggled against Gerhard Erasmus's side-arm off-breaks before posting 209 for 9 in a group league match of the T20 World Cup here on Thursday.
Kishan hit five sixes and half a dozen boundaries in a 50-run innings of 20 balls, setting the stage for Hardik Pandya (52 off 28 balls) to take the team to a total that seemed beyond the reach of this Namibian batting lineup.
However, Namibian captain Erasmus (4/20 in 4 overs) performed admirably, and certainly kept Pakistan's lethal weapon Usman Tariq interested for Sunday.
Erasmus bowled side-arm deliveries in between the standard round-arm delivery. As a variation, he also bowled from behind the crease to shorten the length, which Tilak Varma (25) couldn't reach.
The Kotla pitch was flat, but Sanju Samson (22 off 8 balls) and captain Suryakumar Yadav, with a run-a-ball 12, failed to capitalize on the opportunity, as the African side mounted a comeback with the ball in the middle overs.
Surya certainly got the best delivery of the innings from left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz, who got one to dip and turn, which the captain missed and was duly stumped.
It was a golden opportunity for Samson to capitalize. The three sixes – one down the ground and the other two with powerful wrists – sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy. However, another well-timed shot didn't clear the fielder at cow corner.
Samson's innings was full of intent, but it lacked effectiveness.
The difference between Kishan and Samson over the past month has been consistency and understanding the value of a second chance.
The Namibian pacers couldn't handle him, and when Ishan erred in length, his willow came down with tremendous speed, and the sixes soared into the stands.
During the last 10 overs, India's MVP Pandya took charge, with his four sixes and four boundaries keeping the momentum going, with Shivam Dube (23 off 16 balls) providing excellent support in a 81-run stand off just 6.3 overs.
