Indiasoutheast of Ishan Kishan The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram lit up with a brilliant innings. In the fifth T20I against new zealandKishan played a breathtaking inning of 103 runs off just 43 balls, lighting up the night with a display of power, timing and intent. His maiden T20I century came at a crucial moment in the series and played a decisive role in helping India post a massive score of 271/5 in 20 overs.
The left-handed batsman’s onslaught included six crushing fours and ten sky-scraping sixes, with the historic century coming off just 42 balls. Kishan’s innings ensured that India maintained constant pressure throughout and eventually secured a comfortable 46-run victory. It was a performance that not only enthralled the spectators but also reminded the selectors and fans of his match-winning ability at the top of the order.
Ishan Kishan told about his game plan after his stormy century
Despite the praise and the Player of the Match award, Kishan hit a ground note when reflecting on his innings. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he made it clear that personal milestones no longer dictate his approach at the crease. Instead, his mentality is strongly aligned with the team’s offensive template.
Kishan revealed that the current Indian setup encourages batsmen to remain fearless even when getting close to individual spots. According to him, being slow to reach the milestone may cost the team crucial runs in the death overs. If the ball is meant to be hit, the expectation is simple – hit hard. He believes that clarity has helped him free his mind and focus solely on impressing the game.
He admitted that although the century was satisfactory, he did not consider it a finished product. There is still room to grow, especially to maintain consistency at the highest level. The real challenge for Kishan is to carry this form forward and convert individual talent into consistent performances that benefit the team in big tournaments.
“That’s the plan for every player in our team these days. Even if you are close to a milestone, it doesn’t really matter. If you start taking singles in those overs, later on you feel you could have gone bigger, and that makes a big difference. If the ball is there to be hit, you have to go for it. You shouldn’t think about milestones, but focus on winning the match.” Kishan said.
World Cup ambitions whet Kishan’s appetite
What stood out about Kishan’s comments was his clear focus on the bigger picture. The explosive batsman openly said that his main goal goes beyond bilateral success – is firmly fixed on ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. While his comeback series has been impressive, Kishan believes that winning the global showpiece will require an extra level of effort, discipline and consistency.
“Of course, it’s satisfying, but I still feel I’m not there yet. I’ve performed well and received these awards, but my main focus is on the World Cup. That’s where extra effort will be needed. The important thing is that we continue this form.” Added Kishan.
With his current form and fearless approach, expectations are already rising for what Kishan can perform on the world stage. His ability to dominate the bowling attack in the powerplay and accelerate in the middle overs makes him an important asset in T20 cricket. If Kishan continues on this path then he is in a good position to impress everyone in the upcoming World Cup.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2026: Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya included in India A squad for practice matches