Eyebrows were raised during the second innings when Ishan Kishan walked out with the wicket gloves in place of the usual choice, Sanju Samson, in the fifth T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday 31 January.
IND vs NZ, 5th T20I: Highlights | Scorecard
In the previous four matches, Samson was India’s designated wicketkeeper. With his lack of runs in the series, questions inevitably followed as to whether the change signaled anything more than routine rotation.
However, India captain Suryakumar Yadav was quick to clarify the decision after India sealed a comprehensive victory by 46 runs and a 4-1 series win and finalize their preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
In the post-match press conference, Suryakumar revealed that the move was planned even before the start of the series.
“Both the wicketkeepers were part of the XI from the first match as Tilak was unavailable. We had already decided before the start of the series that Sanju would stay for three matches and Ishan for two,” Suryakumar said.
ISHAN KISHAN A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Kishan missed the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam due to unfitness, briefly raising concerns about his availability. However, these fears were quickly allayed when he made an emphatic return to Thiruvananthapuram.
“Unfortunately, Ishan missed the last match due to stupidity, but otherwise he should have stayed today anyway. You expect that kind of decision and competition before the World Cup,” Suryakumar added.
Continuing his rich vein of form, Kishan continued smash his first T20I century India amassed a mammoth total of 272. Suryakumar contributed a fluent fifty while Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya chipped in with valuable cameos.
New Zealand responded with purpose, Finn Allen producing 80 from just 38 balls at the top of the order. However, a lack of middle-order support meant the visitors eventually faltered and suffered another one-sided series defeat.
ISHAN KISHAN, THE GAME CHANGER
Suryakumar emphasized that the team’s messages to Kishan have been consistent: bat freely and stay true to your natural game, regardless of role.
“We always knew what Ishan brings to the table. We saw how he performed in domestic cricket just before this series. We wanted him to bat in the same way and not change his identity – whether he was opening or batting at No.3,” he said.
The Indian skipper also highlighted the influence Kishan had as he set the tone alongside Abhishek Sharma.
“We wanted him to change the game and the way he batted in every match made a very strong statement. I really enjoyed batting with him and also with Abhishek Sharma from the first match. When these two play together, they almost take the opposition out of the game early, which takes the pressure off the middle order and the finishers,” Suryakumar added.
Despite Samson’s Bat FightsIndia continued to fire on all cylinders and looked like favorites heading into the T20 World Cup. The challenge now for the players and management will be to make the right call at the right time as they attempt to create history by successfully defending their title.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 1, 2026
