Ishan Kishan’s 42-Ball Hundred Powers India as Top Order Clicks Ahead of T20 WC 2026

Ishan Kishan delivered a breathtaking reminder of his destructive potential in the fifth T20I against New Zealand at the Greenfield International Stadium, producing an innings that left the visitors with

little room to respond. The left-handed opener tore into the Kiwi attack, bringing up a sensational century in just 42 deliveries, an effort that decisively tilted the contest in India's favour.

Kishan began with a measured approach, taking a few balls to assess conditions before shifting gears dramatically. Once set, he unleashed a wide range of strokes, mixing power with placement and making even well-directed deliveries disappear into the stands. His acceleration was relentless, and New Zealand's bowlers struggled to find answers as the innings slipped rapidly out of control.

The knock was particularly significant given Kishan's absence from the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam due to a minor niggle. His return could not have been more emphatic, and the timing of the performance may prove crucial in shaping India's plans ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. With Sanju Samson enduring another quiet outing in the same match, Kishan's commanding display strengthened his case as India's preferred wicketkeeper-batter in the shortest format.

Beyond the immediate impact, Kishan also etched his name into an exclusive record list. He became only the second Indian, after Rohit Sharma, to score both a double century in ODIs and a hundred in T20 Internationals. The landmark T20I ton placed him among a select group of Indian batters to achieve the feat, underlining his growing stature in white-ball cricket.

India's dominance was further reinforced by captain Suryakumar Yadav, who addressed recent concerns over his form with a fluent half-century. His 63 off just 30 balls, struck at a blistering pace, ensured the momentum never dipped before he was dismissed by Mitchell Santner.

With Kishan and Suryakumar firing together, and Tilak Varma set to return to full fitness, India's top order appears well settled. On a dew-affected evening where New Zealand's bowlers struggled for control, India showcased the kind of batting depth and firepower that could be decisive at next year's global event.