In a thrilling second T20I between India and New Zealand in Raipur, Ishan Kishan lit up the stadium with his explosive batting. Former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull praised Kishan’s performance, noting that the young opener had all the tools to notch up a massive century but fell just short.
Doull, speaking on GeoSuper, highlighted Kishan’s raw power and versatility. ‘Ishan played brilliantly. He could have smashed a big hundred. We all know his capabilities – he’s got immense strength, shots all around the park, and he scores quickly. Don’t forget, he’s already hammered a double ton in ODIs,’ Doull remarked.
The match saw India chasing a daunting 209. Early dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson put pressure on the batting lineup. But Kishan, partnering with Suryakumar Yadav, unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes, turning the game on its head. His aggressive strokeplay allowed Yadav to settle in, paving the way for a comfortable victory.
Some of Kishan’s shots were pure class. Doull singled out a stunning pull over mid-wicket off Ish Sodhi, executed flawlessly despite the bowler dipping the ball short. India’s relentless scoring rate, regardless of conditions, proved decisive.
Returning to the side after Tilak Varma’s injury, Kishan faced immense expectations. After a duck in the Nagpur opener, he redeemed himself at number three, blasting 76 off 32 balls – 11 fours and 4 sixes. Out in the 10th over when 81 runs were still needed, he was 24 shy of a historic T20 ton. A touch more patience might have sealed it.
Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 82 off 37 and Shivam Dube’s 36* off 18 powered India home in 15.2 overs with 3 wickets in hand. Kishan rightfully earned Player of the Match honors, signaling his intent to reclaim his spot in the team.