Ishan Kishan Powers India to Series Win in Run-Fest: Ishan Kishan lit up Thiruvananthapuram with a breathtaking century as India flexed their batting muscle ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, crushing New Zealand by 46 runs to clinch the five-match series 4-1 on Saturday.
Returning to the XI after missing the previous match due to a minor niggle, Kishan walked in at number three and immediately set the tone with an explosive 103 from just 43 deliveries. His innings, laced with 10 towering sixes, propelled India to a mammoth 271 for five — their highest T20I total at the Greenfield International Stadium.
Kishan’s assault peaked in the 12th over when he tore into leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, plundering 29 runs in a single over through a flurry of boundaries and maximums. He found strong support from captain Suryakumar Yadav, who compiled a rapid 63 as the pair stitched together a devastating 137-run partnership in only 58 balls.
Suryakumar showcased his trademark innovation late in the innings, taking Jacob Duffy apart for three sixes in one over. Kishan eventually reached his hundred in style with a six before falling to a slower delivery, but the damage had already been done. Hardik Pandya added the finishing touches with a blistering 42 off 17 balls, smashing four sixes to push India well beyond New Zealand’s reach.
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Chasing an imposing target of 272, New Zealand showed early intent despite losing Tim Seifert cheaply. Finn Allen launched a ferocious counterattack, smashing 80 off 38 balls, while Rachin Ravindra contributed 30 as the visitors raced ahead during the powerplay. Their century partnership briefly kept the contest alive.
However, India wrestled back control through Axar Patel, who dismissed Allen and Glenn Phillips in quick succession. The turning point opened the door for Arshdeep Singh, who ripped through the middle order with a sensational spell. The left-arm seamer finished with career-best figures of 5 for 51, his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals, as New Zealand were bowled out for 225 with two balls remaining.
The comprehensive victory capped a dominant series for India and underlined their formidable depth and firepower as they head into World Cup preparations with confidence sky-high.
