Indian batsman Ishan Kishan has revealed that he is not completely satisfied with his remarkable return to Team India in the New Zealand series and has set his sights firmly on winning the T20 World Cup in 2026. Kishan scored his maiden T20I century with a breathtaking innings of 103 off 43 balls in the fifth T20I on Saturday, at the Thivanru Greenfield Stadium on Saturday, January 31. Thivanru.
Kishan smashed six fours and ten sixes during his innings, he brought up his hundred in just 42 balls and help India post a mammoth 271/5 in their 20 overs. As India won the match by 46 runs, Kishan was deservedly named the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Update
Despite his impressive return to the Indian team, Kishan said it meant little to him as his primary focus remains the T20 World Cup in 2026.
“Obviously it’s satisfying, but I still feel like I’m not there yet. I’ve been leading well and I’ve won these awards, but I’m mainly focused on the World Cup. More effort will be needed there. What’s important is that we continue this form,” Kishan said during the post-match presentation.
Kishan was also asked not to slow down as his century approaches, to which the batsman replied that the team’s philosophy is not to chase personal milestones and instead go for big hits whenever the ball is in the slot.
“That’s the plan for every player in our team today. Even if you’re close to a milestone, it doesn’t really matter. If you start playing singles in those overs, later on you feel like you could have been bigger, and that makes a huge difference. If the ball is going to hit, you have to go for it. You shouldn’t think about milestones, but focus on winning matches.”
A remarkable comeback by Ishan Kishan
Kishan did not have a memorable start to the series as he returned to the India team after more than two years and was dismissed for 8 (5) in the first T20I. However, in the second game he showed a remarkable turnaround, play a winning shot of 76 (32), which helped India to bowl out 209 in just 15.2 overs.
The southpaw eventually finished the series on a high with a memorable century, amassing 215 runs from four innings at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 231.18. After impressing against New Zealand, Kishan has greatly strengthened his case to be a regular starter in India’s playing XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup, where he could even step up and open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma, especially considering Sanju Samson’s poor form.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
January 31, 2026
