In a show of sheer white-ball dominance, Ishan Kishan reworked the 5th T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium into a private spotlight reel, shattering New Zealand’s spirits with a maiden T20I century that was as surgical because it was brutal.
New Zealand left reeling as Ishan Kishan smashes his maiden T20I century
Returning to the XI after a short damage layoff, the left-hander unleashed absolute mayhem, reaching his 100 in simply 42 deliveries, the fastest-ever T20I ton by an Indian towards the Black Caps. Kishan’s innings of 103 off 43 balls was a masterclass in modern-day energy hitting, that includes 10 towering sixes that cleared the boundaries with ease, together with an twelfth over from Ish Sodhi that went for 29 runs. He was significantly extreme on the spin of Sodhi and the tempo of Kyle Jamieson, at one level putting three consecutive sixes to convey the Thiruvananthapuram crowd to its ft.
This historic knock makes Kishan solely the second Indian, after Rohit Sharma, to attain the uncommon ‘Double’ of getting each an ODI double-century and a T20I hundred to his title. By sustaining a staggering strike price of 239.53, Kishan didn’t simply play a match-defining innings; he successfully hammered down his declare as India’s first-choice opener for the 2026 World Cup.
The 137-run blitz: Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav dismantled the Kiwis in fifth T20I
The spine of India’s mammoth whole was a devastating 137-run partnership for the third wicket, the place Kishan discovered the right tactical foil in captain Suryakumar Yadav. Becoming a member of forces at a precarious 48/2 after the early exit of Sanju Samson, the duo decimated Mitchell Santner’s bowling plans via a mixture of calculated dangers and audacious strokeplay. Whereas Suryakumar performed the anchor-aggressor with a fast 63 off 30 balls, his presence allowed Kishan to enter ‘full-throttle’ mode from the opposite finish.
Their chemistry was evident as they manipulated the sphere with ease, turning even good-length deliveries into boundary alternatives. The partnership, which got here at a blistering price of over 14 runs per over, not solely pushed India previous the 200-mark in document time but in addition highlighted the immense depth of a center order that was additional bolstered by Hardik Pandya’s late cameo.
Ishan discovered the right ally in captain Suryakumar Yadav, who performed a blistering supporting function with 63 off 30 balls. The duo shared a devastating 137-run partnership for the third wicket, taking India from a shaky 48/2 to a place of absolute dominance. The carnage was then accomplished by Hardik Pandya, whose 17-ball 42 ensured that New Zealand’s bowlers, most notably Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson, completed with particular person economies effectively over 13.
Additionally READ: IND vs NZ: Fans left boiling after Sanju Samson disappoints home crowd at Greenfield International Stadium as flop show continues in 5th T20I
Right here’s how followers reacted:
That’s not simply an innings fro Ishan, it’s a press release.
My god🔥🔥 #INDvsNZ
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 31, 2026
Ishan Kishan is simply cooking on the proper time. Universe finds a means man.
— Foolish Level (@FarziCricketer) January 31, 2026
Ishan Kishan reveals the ability of not giving up, coaching onerous and believing in your power. He by no means modified his model and acquired the rewards. What a well timed comeback… only a week earlier than the World T20.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 31, 2026
ttps://twitter.com/BoriaMajumdar/standing/2017613332703011247
On this kind there’s no means Ishan Kishan gained’t begin within the Indian XI come the World Cup
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 31, 2026
When life provides you a second probability, seize it like Ishan Kishan did. pic.twitter.com/IZlxdtVS0w
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) January 31, 2026
Sanju Samson and his followers mustn’t complain now, Sanju & Ishan Kishan reverse ends of the spectrum.
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) January 31, 2026
MAIDEN T20I HUNDRED FOR ISHAN KISHAN. 💯
– The celebration between Kishan and Hardik Pandya was pure bliss. 🥺❤️
pic.twitter.com/lgS011uBoM— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 31, 2026
Ishan Kishan’s skills should not shock anybody, actually, his performances are a stunning indictment of the Indian cricketing system’s capability to map, again & handle maverick gamers.
IK actually needed to write historical past (lead Jharkhand to SMAT win) with a view to be thought-about,…
— Vikram Mahendra (@ElRealesVikram) January 31, 2026
Ishan Kishan brings up century in 42 balls ⚡⚡#INDvNZ #IshanKishan #TeamIndia #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/8fmX466nnU
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 31, 2026
Additionally READ: IND vs NZ, 5th T20I: Suryakumar Yadav reveals crucial Tilak Varma update ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
