Ishan Kishan vs Virat Kohli: Comparing their numbers after 32 T20Is

Keeper-batsman Ishan Kishan has returned to the Indian team for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in February-March. The southpaw has replaced Shubman Gill in the 15-man squad. Gill was the vice-captain of the Indian side that defeated South Africa 3-1 in the recent home T20I series. However, he has been dropped from the ICC event due to poor form.

Kishan has been named to the World Cup roster following an outstanding performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26. He led Jharkhand to victory and finished as the tournament’s leading run-getter, with 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of 197.32. Kishan scored two tons and two fifties, including 101 from 49 balls in the final versus Haryana.

Kishan has played 32 T20I games to date. In this article, we compare his stats to those of former skipper Virat Kohli after they both played the same amount of T20I matches.

1. Ishan Kishan vs Virat Kohli – Who has the better T20 International average and strike rate after 32 T20Is?

In 32 T20Is so far, Kishan has amassed 796 runs averaging at 25.67 and with a strike rate of 124.37. The 27-year-old has accumulated 206 runs in five T20Is against South Africa, averaging 41.20 and having a strike rate of 150.36. He has also scored 110 runs in three T20Is versus Australia striking at 144.73. He has 165 runs at an average of 33 and a strike rate 136.36 in six matches against Sri Lanka.

Kohli had after 32 T20Is scored 1,165 runs at an average of 50.65 and a strike rate of 136.41. Of this runs, 269 were in seven matches against Australia at an average of 53.80 and strike rate of 141.57. He had scored 184 runs from six T20Is versus England at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 140.45 as well. In four T20Is versus Pakistan he scored 150 runs at an average of 75 with a SR of 119.04.

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2. Ishan Kishan vs Virat Kohli – Who has more 50-plus scores after 32 T20Is?

In 32 T20Is, Kishan has six half-centuries. His highest score is 89 not out against Sri Lanka in Lucknow in February 2022. The 56-ball knock was studded with ten fours and three sixes. Of his remaining five half-centuries, two had been made against South Africa and Australia each, and one against England.

It took Virat Kohli 32 T20Is to register his 11th fifty. His highest was 90* against Australia in Adelaide in January 2016. Nine fours and two sixes were part of the 55-ball knock. He had also struck an unbeaten 78 off 61 deliveries against Pakistan in Colombo, during the 2012 T20 World Cup with eight fours and two sixes.

3. Ishan Kishan vs Virat Kohli – Who is better after 32 T20Is?

Kishan has been part of 21 T20Is that India have won. He has scored 614 runs at an average of 30.70 and strike rate of 125.56 with five fifties in winning cases. In the nine T20Is India lost, he has 157 runs at an average of 17.44, striking them at 118.04; he has one fifty. The 27-year-old also scored 10 runs in one tied match and 15 runs in one T20I that ended without result.

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In his first 32 T20Is, Kohli played in 20 matches that India won. He had 805 runs at an average of 67.08 with the strike rate reading 134.16, and eight half-centuries in winning causes. In 12 matches that India lost, he had scored 360 runs at an average of 32.72 and a strike rate of 141.73 with three half-centuries.

4. Ishan Kishan vs Virat Kohli – Who has the better record in chases after 32 T20Is?

Ishan Kishan has scored 232 runs at an average of 23.20 and a strike rate of 115.42, with two fifties, in 10 T20Is while chasing. Batting first, he has 564 runs in 22 games with an average and strike rate of 26.85 and 128.47 respectively, along with four half centuries.

From 14 T20I chases, Kohli had performed; 562 runs at average of 80.28 and strike rate of 135.42, inclusive of six half-centuries. Batting first, the former India captain scored 603 runs in 18 matches at an average of 37.68 and strike rate of 137.35, with five half-centuries to his name.