Ishan Kishan & Co. Create History, Go Past England & Australia To Become...

The hard-hitting Indian batters, led by an in-form Ishan Kishan, on Saturday, January 31, broke England and Australia’s records to become the team with the most sixes smacked in a bilateral T20I series. India finished the five-match T20I series against New Zealand with a whopping 69 sixes.

India hit 23 sixes in their 271-run score, which is more than 50% of the runs.

England had smacked 64 sixes against the West Indies in 2023, in a five-match T20I series. Phil Salt hit 22 of those.

West Indies also bore the brunt of Australia’s big-hitting last year, also in a five-match T20I series. Tim David hit 15 of the 64, while Cameron Green and Mitchell Owen hit 12 each.

Teams with the most sixes in a bilateral T20I series

India vs New Zealand, 2026: 69

England

vs West Indies, 2023: 64

Australia vs West Indies, 2025: 64

Cambodia vs Indonesia, 2025: 62

While fans were left waiting for a trademark Sanju Samson blitz, their disappointment was eased by centurion Ishan’s dazzling strokeplay as India piled up a huge 271/5 against New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I in Trivandrum on Saturday, January 31.

Ishan (103 off 43 balls, 6×4, 10×6), scoring his maiden T20I hundred and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (63 off 30 balls, 4×4, 6×6) dominated the Kiwi bowlers, putting on a 137-run third-wicket partnership in just over 10 overs.

Opener Sanju Samson (6) continued his poor run, falling to pacer Lockie Ferguson in his fifth successive failure, raising questions over his T20 World Cup spot. Abhishek Sharma (30 off 16) provided a brisk start but was undone by Ferguson’s extra pace.

But India found some fresh wind soon through Suryakumar and Ishan after a tepid power play phase, 54/2.

Ishan, sidelined for the fourth T20I because of an unspecified injury, showed no signs of rust, punishing the New Zealand bowlers with his quick hands and agile footwork.

The left-hander began his carnage, smashing Ferguson for a boundary and six over extra over and the runs never stopped thereafter.