Thiruvananthapuram, January 31, 2026: Ishan Kishan delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting, slamming his maiden T20I century off just 42 balls during the 5th and final T20I against New Zealand at the Greenfield International Stadium. The explosive left-hander’s knock of 103 runs off 43 balls (including 10 sixes and 6 fours) helped India dominate the innings after opting to bat first, pushing towards a massive total in this series finale.
Ishan Kishan’s Century Highlights
- Century Milestone: Reached 100 with back-to-back sixes off Mitchell Santner in the 17th over – pure power and timing!
- Fifty in Style: Blasted to 50 off only 28 balls, then accelerated wildly, smashing Ish Sodhi for four fours and two sixes in one over.
- Strike Rate: Over 230+, turning the game into a spectacle with clean hitting.
- Key Partnerships: Built crucial stands, notably with captain Suryakumar Yadav (who scored 63), taking India to commanding positions like 226/3 in 17 overs.
- Historic Feat: Became only the second Indian (after Rohit Sharma) to score centuries in both ODIs and T20Is against New Zealand.
Commentators, including Sunil Gavaskar, hailed it as “murderous form,” praising Kishan’s dominance. The innings silenced critics and strengthened his case for a key spot in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, especially after returning strongly from a niggle earlier in the series.
Match Snapshot: India vs New Zealand 5th T20I
India (led by Suryakumar Yadav) won the toss and elected to bat in Thiruvananthapuram. With the series already secured, Kishan’s fireworks – alongside contributions from Abhishek Sharma and others – put India in total control. New Zealand’s bowlers, including Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, and Mitchell Santner, faced an onslaught they couldn’t contain.
Kishan was eventually dismissed for 103 (caught by Glenn Phillips off Jacob Duffy), but the damage was done. This knock marks a massive statement from the Bihar-born batter ahead of the global showpiece.
