Raipur, January 23: Ishan Kishan unleashed a blistering 76-run knock off just 34 balls, featuring 4 massive sixes and 11 boundaries, to propel India to a thrilling victory over New Zealand in the second T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. Named Player of the Match, Kishan’s explosive innings turned the tide in a high-scoring encounter where India chased down a mammoth 209 with 7 wickets and 4.4 overs to spare.
Post-match, the young opener revealed his mindset. ‘My focus was solely on what I needed to do in this game,’ Kishan said. ‘Sometimes, you just know when you’re in the zone. You keep a clear head, watch the ball closely, and play your natural shots.’
He elaborated on the team strategy: ‘We decided against risky cross-batted shots. But in the powerplay, I wanted to maximize the scoring. When chasing over 200, a strong start is crucial. I felt great at the crease from ball one—connecting sweetly and trusting my instincts.’
Kishan’s return to the Indian team came after a prolonged absence, marked by stellar domestic performances. ‘Domestic cricket was key for me,’ he admitted. ‘It was about answering my own doubts: Am I batting well? Can I perform for India? I just needed those runs to confirm it. Even if I got out, I wanted to play proper cricket.’
India now leads the five-match series 2-0, with Kishan’s fireworks setting the tone for an unassailable position. His confidence and form signal a strong comeback story in Indian cricket’s competitive landscape.