Ishan Kishan achieved a significant milestone by becoming the second Indian wicketkeeper-batsman to record four consecutive scores of fifty or more in ODIs. He displayed his resilience and skill during the Asia Cup 2023 clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kandy, where he played a crucial innings of 82.

Ishan's innings not only helped India recover from a precarious position but also saw him surpass the legendary MS Dhoni's record for the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman in an Asia Cup match against Pakistan. Dhoni's previous record of 76 runs, set in a match back in 2008, was eclipsed by Ishan's valiant 82.

This remarkable performance marked Ishan's fourth consecutive fifty in the ODI format. What made this achievement even more special was that Ishan, who had never batted at No. 5 in his ODI career before, became only the ninth Indian batsman to register a fifty-plus score in his maiden appearance in the format against Pakistan. He also became the second left-handed batsman to achieve this feat, with Yuvraj Singh being the other.

During the Asia Cup clash, Ishan joined forces with the talented all-rounder Hardik Pandya to rescue Team India from a difficult situation. Their partnership was instrumental in India crossing the 200-run mark. However, Ishan faced a challenge as he began to experience cramps, which hampered his ability to run between the wickets. Consequently, he opted for big shots, and his innings came to an end when he mistimed a shot, and the ball landed in the hands of skipper Babar Azam. Ishan was eventually dismissed for a well-crafted 82 runs off 81 balls, a knock that included nine boundaries and two sixes, all off the bowling of Haris Rauf.

This innings marked Ishan Kishan's seventh half-century in ODIs, and it further solidified his reputation as a promising young talent in Indian cricket. His consistent performances during the series against the West Indies in July-August, where he recorded scores of 52, 55, and 77 in three ODIs, showcased his ability to deliver under pressure and make valuable contributions to the team.