Asia Cup 2023: Rating 5 Batting Performances in Group Stage

82- Ishan Kishan, India vs. Pakistan- 9/10

India and Pakistan clashed in an ODI for the first time since World Cup 2019 and what an encounter it would have been had the match not gotten rained off. India's captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first.

Shaheen Afridi wreaked havoc from the start, removing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early. At 66/4, it looked like Pakistan would bundle India out for a low score and win the match comfortably.

However, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya had other plans as they added 138 runs for the fifth wicket, helping India put 266 runs on the board.

However, the innings of note came from Ishan Kishan, as the left-hander had been struggling to adapt to the no.5 position and had previously failed at the same position. His game against spinners in middle overs was also under scrutiny.

But in Pallekele, Kishan handled the two spinners well in Shadab and Nawaz and took apart the pacers at will as he could cut and slice as he pleased. He made 82 runs in 81 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. This knock was enough to give headaches to the Indian team management, as Kishan staked a claim for the no.5 spot.