Ishan Kishan’s Thiruvananthapuram hundred could seal his role as India’s opener with Abhishek ahead of T20 World Cup 2026.
The crowd in Thiruvananthapuram was cheering for the home boy, Sanju Samson, but cricket, as it often does, chose a different hero. By the end of the fifth T20I against New Zealand, it was Ishan Kishan, once seen as a backup, now a serious World Cup contender, who had completely stolen the spotlight. India had already taken an unassailable lead in the series, but the final match on January 31, turned into a statement game. And Ishan made sure everyone listened.
When Sanju Samson fell early, edging a delivery after a brief stay, there was a moment of disappointment in the stands. India were 31 for 1, and soon 48 for 2 when Abhishek Sharma departed. The pitch at Greenfield Stadium had a bit of movement early on, and New Zealand’s bowlers sensed an opening. Ishan Kishan walked in at No. 3 with the game still finely poised.
What followed was a lesson in patience, awareness, and then pure destruction.
For the first few overs, Kishan played cautiously. He took his time, respected the swing, and didn’t force shots. At one point, he had just a single run to his tally in the first five balls, but it was exactly what the situation demanded. India reached 82 for 2 after nine overs, and Kishan was quietly settling in. Then something clicked.
Read More: IND vs NZ 2025-26, 5th T20I: Kishan’s whirlwind ton, Arshdeep fifer blow away NZ; India win 4-1
Ishan’s masterclass in Thiruvananthapuram
Once he found his rhythm, the transformation was dramatic. Partnering Suryakumar Yadav, Kishan began to attack relentlessly. The two stitched together a blistering 137-run partnership, completely taking the game away from New Zealand. Kishan brought up his fifty in just 28 balls, mixing power with placement, timing his big hits with precision.
The real carnage came against spin. In the 12th over, he dismantled Ish Sodhi, smashing 29 runs in one over with a stunning sequence of boundaries and sixes. From there, there was no stopping him. Kishan scored a staggering 77 runs off his last 23 balls, striking at more than 18 runs per over.
He reached his maiden T20I century off just 42 balls, finishing with 103 off 43 deliveries, including six fours and ten towering sixes. By the time he was dismissed, caught at deep square leg off Lockie Ferguson, the damage was done. India posted a massive 271 for 5, their third-highest total in T20 internationals.
Arshdeep Singh’s five-wicket haul later sealed a comfortable 46-run win, but the night belonged to Ishan Kishan, who walked away with the Player of the Match award.
Read More: Does Ishan Kishan’s incredible show in Raipur & Samson’s failure unbox the opener debate again?
Consistent firepower across the series
This was not a one-off performance. Across the series, Ishan Kishan was remarkably consistent, scoring 215 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 231.18. Against New Zealand, he looked reborn, confident, clear in his role, and fearless.
What stood out was his adaptability. Kishan showed he could absorb pressure early and then explode when needed, a trait vital in World Cup cricket. He also spoke about how batting alongside Abhishek Sharma helped him. Abhishek’s aggressive intent at the top allowed Kishan to find his own tempo and play according to the team’s needs.
This form did not come out of nowhere. In domestic cricket, Kishan has been unstoppable. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he smashed a breathtaking 33-ball century for Jharkhand, later extending it to 125 off 39 balls. He also led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, scoring a century in the final. Everything points to a batter peaking at the right time.
Read More: IND vs NZ 2025-26, 2nd T20I: Kishan-SKY power-packed blows bamboozles Kiwis; India 2-0 up
Samson’s woes open the door
On the other side of the story stands Sanju Samson, whose struggles have become impossible to ignore. The series was a nightmare for him. Across five matches, he managed only 46 runs, averaging 9.2. He was dismissed cheaply every time, often undone by pace, short balls, and technical lapses.
In the deciding match too, Samson failed to capitalise, scoring a run-a-ball six before edging a drive. His body language reflected frustration, and the pressure of expectations at his home ground only added to the narrative. While Samson’s overall T20I record and past centuries cannot be dismissed lightly, this prolonged slump has raised serious questions.
Ishan Kishan shows the power of not giving up, training hard and believing in your strength. He never changed his style and got the rewards. What a timely comeback… just a week before the World T20.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 31, 2026
Perfect like-for-like replacement
With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, selectors are looking for form and clarity. Ishan Kishan fits the bill perfectly. He offers a like-for-like replacement, a wicketkeeper-batter who can open, attack, and also keep wickets confidently. His combination with Abhishek Sharma can be a superhit, and their fearless approach could give India explosive starts.
Cricket is ruthless in that sense. Reputation matters, but timing matters more. Right now, everything seems to be falling into place for Ishan Kishan. From being seen as a backup option, he has pushed himself to the front of the queue.
For Sanju Samson, the road back will demand resilience and runs, lots of them. For Ishan Kishan, this series may well be the turning point that transforms promise into permanence.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: Why rest of the teams need to be cautious against India’s fiery batting line up
