Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan delivered a masterclass in power-hitting during the fifth T20I against New Zealand, securing a historic century in just 42 deliveries. Making a significant comeback to the national side ahead of the T20 World Cup, Kishan's aggressive approach dismantled the Kiwi bowling attack, marking a milestone performance in international cricket.
Joining the Elite Rohit Sharma Club
With this century, Ishan Kishan has entered an exclusive statistical bracket in Indian cricket. He has become only the second Indian player, after captain Rohit Sharma, to have scored both a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and a century in T20 Internationals. Kishan's innings concluded at 103 runs off 43 balls, a knock decorated with 6 boundaries and 10 sixes, maintaining a strike rate well above 230.
Fastest T20I Century Against New Zealand
Kishan's innings was a blend of initial caution and subsequent carnage. He reached his half-century in 28 balls before accelerating drastically. A pivotal moment occurred in the 12th over bowled by Ish Sodhi, where Kishan extracted 29 runs. By reaching the triple-figure mark in 42 balls, he now holds the record for the fastest T20I century against New Zealand. This also marks his 7th century in the T20 format, placing him joint-fourth among Indians with the most T20 hundreds.
India Records Third-Highest T20I Total
The collective effort of the Indian batting unit, led by Kishan's 103 and supported by captain Suryakumar Yadav's 63, propelled India to a mammoth total of 271/5 in 20 overs. This stands as India's third-highest total in T20I history and the highest total ever recorded by any team against New Zealand in this format. The Indian innings featured a total of 23 sixes, showcasing a dominant display of modern T20 batting.
Statistical Analysis and Impact
According to cricket analysts, this performance Notably strengthens Kishan's position in the playing XI for upcoming major tournaments, while the total of 271 is the fifth-highest score in T20I history among full-member nations. Analysts noted that Kishan's ability to transition from a steady start to explosive hitting was the highlight of the match, providing India with the necessary momentum in the series finale.