Suryakumar Yadav, Team India’s captain, was impressed by Ishan Kishan’s performance in the second T20I against New Zealand at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur on Friday, January 23. The 35-year-old joked that he didn’t know what the left-handed batter ate for lunch before batting the manner he did.
He struggled a little in Nagpur in the first T20I, but was on top from ball one here. The left-handed Kishan found the early rhythm from Zak Foulkes’ first over when he thrashed for 24 runs to claw back in the game. He brought up his fifty off just 21 balls and would fall for 76 but had put Team India on course for victory courtesy of a 122-run stand with Suryakumar.
In the post-match presentation, the captain said he had never seen anyone bat like Kishan and that too when Mumbai were struggling at 6-2. Suryakumar was just happy to find form again after an unbeaten 82, for the first time in touching a fifty since October 2024. According to ESPNcricinfo, he said:
“I don’t know what Ishan had in the afternoon for lunch, but I have never seen someone batting that way at 6 for 2 and ending the powerplay on 60-odd. But that’s what we want for our batters to be able to express themselves. I was angry he wasn’t giving me strike in the powerplay but I was able to get a hold of the conditions.”
“I’ve been batting well in the nets, had a good break, and had a good practice session before the game too. Incredible effort with the ball. When they were 110 for 2, I thought it would be a 230-odd total but all the bowlers chipped in and took responsibility,” he added.
The hosts needed only 15.2 overs to chase down the Black Caps’ target of 209 and grab a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Ishan Kishan sets record for fastest T20I fifty by an Indian vs New Zealand
Ishan Kishan, meanwhile broke Abhishek Sharma’s record of fastest fifty by an Indian in a T20I against New Zealand needing just 21 balls. During last game, Abhishek used one additional ball.
The left-hander deservedly earned the Player of the Match award for his 32-ball knock, which was studded with 11 fours and four sixes. India and New Zealand will face off for the third T20I on Sunday, January 25, in Guwahati.
