'Once in a blue moon innings' - Fans react as Ishan Kishan scores quick-fire fifty to lead MI home against KKR

Ishan Kishan (Source: Twitter)

After a poor start to the season, Ishan Kishan finally produced a match-winning knock as he scored a quick-fire half-century to lead his team to victory against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, April 16. The MI opener got his team off to a flying start with a 21-ball fifty as they chased down a 186-run target at Wankhede Stadium to secure a five-wicket triumph over KKR.

Kishan had a dismal first three matches for MI, but this time he showed his intent from the start, hammering Shardul Thakur for 16 runs in the second over. He continued his onslaught against KKR's mystery spinner Sunil Narine, smashing him for two sixes and a boundary in the very next over. The left-hander put on a 62-run first-wicket stand in 5 overs before his partner Rohit Sharma, who came in as an Impact Player, was dismissed for 20 runs.

Kishan's aggressive innings ended when Varun Chakaravarthy knocked him in the eighth over. 'The pocket dynamo' scored 58 runs in 25 balls, including five boundaries and as many sixes in his innings. This was his first fifty of IPL 2023 and also the joint fourth-fastest half-century of IPL 2023.

After falling for 10 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first match, 32 runs against Chennai Super Kings, and 31 against Delhi Capitals in the previous encounter, Kishan managed to shut his critics with an impressive innings against KKR. MI won their second game of the competition, and with Kishan regaining his form, the Men in Blue are looking threatening to other teams.

Venkatesh Iyer's maiden IPL ton went in vain

Having been asked to bat first, KKR struggled to get off to a good start, losing N Jagadeesan in the second over. Venkatesh Iyer, who came in at one down, started his innings brilliantly and held at one end to ensure his team reaching a respectable total. When the rest of the batters found it difficult to resist in the crease, the left-handed batter hit his maiden IPL century. He smashed 104 runs off 51 balls, with nine sixes and six fours.

The 28-year-old is the first batter to score a century for KKR since Brendon McCullum’s stunning performance in the inaugural edition of the IPL. He was also named Player of the Match, but it didn’t make him happy because his team fell against MI for the 23rd time in IPL history.

Here's how fans reacted to Ishan Kishan's innings: 

15.25 cr ki bharpaayi to karni padegina ab tak kuchh kiya nahi tha to😂🔥

— Khush Thakkar (@Khush_Thakkar12) April 16, 2023

One of the greatest knock of IPL...
Well played Ishan...

— Unknown_♡ (@NEUTRALICTFAN) April 16, 2023

Finally a fearless knock 🙏🏻

— Rishabh Shah 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@rishlee) April 16, 2023

Not too sure about his once in a blue moon knocks.

— Chahal (@Bloodylndian) April 16, 2023

Better than statpadder vadapav

— Adipurush (@SayAdipurush) April 16, 2023

Aaj chal gaya, bad luck for KKR, good luck for next 5 opponents because ab 5 match aaraam karega

— Harsh (@186Harsh) April 16, 2023

Power play over sloggers limited game gets exposed. Check his SR in IPL career 120 . He will fire once in 10 matches against international sides if the pitch is flat.

— Amit Padmayya (@AmitPadmayya) April 16, 2023

He scored runs means this is the flattest pitch of 2023 ipl

— Amanicorn (@Amanicorn1) April 16, 2023