Ishan Kishan was at his fiery best in Raipur but did manage to give fans a light moment in the heat of the battle. In a player of the match performance, Kishan slammed a quick-fire half-century inside the powerplay to set up India's record win. During his boundary hitting spree, the left-hander emulated fellow left-hander Rishabh Pant with the internet enjoying a little chuckle.
In the 5th over of the chase, Kishan swung his bat with power trying to deposit Mitchell Santner into the stands. However, the bat slipped from the left-hander's hands and went flying. It landed betwwen midwicket and square leg, flying a great distance in the air. The moment soon went viral on social media, likening the two attacking wicketkeepers who are known for their antics.
Kishan makes a statement
Ishan Kishan made a statement ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Wednesday. The left-hander batting at No.3 played a counter-attacking innings in front of a packed house in the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I in Raipur. Kishan smashed his half-century inside the powerplay to put India on top of the huge run chase.
It is his 7th half-century in T20Is and came in a game when both of India's openers departed early. The Men in Blue have grown reliant on Abhishek Sharma, but Ishan Kishan offered them a glimpse of having a dynamite at No.3 should the opener not fire.
He eventually managed 76 off just 32 balls, setting up India's record win. The left-hander struck 11 boundaries and 4 sixes in a brutal boundary hitting display. 68 off Kishan's 76 came in boundaries, with a hit to the fence in less than 3 deliveries.
