Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, March 15
Ishan Kishan Pandey failed to give up before the England bowlers with his terrific batting that stole the show yesterday in the 2nd T20I played in Ahmedabad, but the young cricketer was once “caught”.
Literally, the police had once arrested Ishan—who has now established himself at Bihar’s Dhoni or MS Dhoni-in-making. Ishan hails from Nawada, about 135 kilometres from Bihar’s capital while Dhoni comes from adjoining Jharkhand’s Ranchi.
On January 12, 2016, when he was captain of the Under-19 national cricket team, Ishan and his three friends were beaten up by the locals at Kankarbagh tempo stand when the budding cricket player’s car hit an auto and injured six passengers including two women.
According to Kankarbagh police station, the locals had assaulted Kishan and his friends; his clothes were also torn. Police intervened and rescued him from the mob and took to the police station, where he was formally arrested for rash driving. He disclosed his identity at the police station as captain of India’s under-19 cricket team.
Ishan was congratulated by the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar today who telephoned his father, Pranav Pandey and cricket player and complimented him for his brilliant fireworks at Ahmedabad against England team. Irrigation minister Sanjay Kumar Jha met Ishan’s father, a contractor in government projects and congratulated his son whom he described as Future Dhoni from Bihar.
Large number of cricket fans visited Basant Vihar colony residence of Ishan at Ashiyana Nagar and congratulated his parents. His grandmother Savitri Sharma and mother Suchitra Singh were also jubilant over the performance of Ishan and offered sweets to the visitors.
Ishan Kishan (22), the Indian wicket keeper-cum-batsman had a memorable debut in his first international cricket T 20 on Sunday against England at Ahmedabad and scored 56 runs in 32 balls. He was adjudged the Man of the Match.
