India wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan made a statement as he smashed a blistering hundred against New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Kishan had come in at number three after Sanju Samson departed early for 6 off 6. Samson’s opening Abhishek Sharma was also sent back soon after, for 30 off 16 as he was cleaned up by Lockie Ferguson.
Ishan was then joined by captain Suryakumar Yadav and was unleashed next was a batting masterclass from both ends.
🎥 What a way to get to your maiden T20I century! 💯
And look what it means to Ishan Kishan 🙌
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/AwZfWUTBGi#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/adZg0TJTvK
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2026
Maiden T20I HUNDRED! 💯
Ishan Kishan gets there with a MAXIMUM 🥳
He also completes 1000 T20I runs 🔥
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/AwZfWUTBGi#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/sxtzixQIYq
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2026
Both the batters counter attacked and scored runs at a brisk pace. Ishan went on to hit Ish Sodhi 28 runs in one over during the course of his 103 off 43, a knock that was decorated with 10 maximums and 6 fours.
Ishan Kishan :
– Dropped from India Team
– Losses Central Contract
– Returned to Ranji, scored century
– Century in Buchi Babu tournament
– 2 centuries in SMAT
– Won SMAT title as captain
– Returns to T20I team
– Scored 76 off 32 balls in return.
– Won POTM
– Scored century in… pic.twitter.com/qKxd0a1CuR— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) January 31, 2026
🚨MEET ISHAN KISHAN
For those who are saying Ishan Kishan is lucky..
– he was dropped from the 11 after he scored 200, sidelined from the team when he asked break for mental health reasons.
– never played victim card, just worked hard and he is back 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/nFvHUZub31— `MAN` (@SeemsOver) January 31, 2026
Who is responsible for wasting Ishan Kishan’s prime two years and sidelining him from the team?
What was his mistake? pic.twitter.com/W2dOPXUG6Q
— Space Recorder (@1spacerecorder) January 31, 2026
Surya also chipped in with an important knock of 63 off 30 as the skipper notched up his third fifty in the series. Later, it was Hardik Pandya who hammered the New Zealand bowlers all around the park. The right-hander struck 42 off 17 to help India post 271/5 in 20 overs.
You can’t be bad at cricket when your idol is Ms Dhoni.
Ishan Kishan 🥶 pic.twitter.com/9sxrejHD58
— 𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐌𝐒𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐧™ (@AaravMsd_07) January 31, 2026
Dismantle @BCCI if Ishan Kishan isn’t the first name on the World Cup XI.
Justice Sanju Samson shouldn’t be anywhere near this T20I setup. We are so ready for that WC trophy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bEdk7E9ieU
— Prathmesh. (@45Fan_Prathmesh) January 31, 2026
An ISHANDAAR Blockbuster! 🙌
✅ 1st T20I century
✅ 1000 runs in T20Is
✅ 6000 runs in T20s
✅ 10 sixes in the innings #IshanKishan with a statement knock just 7 days before the ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup begins! 🤩#INDvNZ 5th T20I 👉 LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/7DIDSDu12k pic.twitter.com/c3n77mmcR1— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 31, 2026
😍🔥 LOOK AT HARDIK, MAN!
CELEBRATING ISHAN KISHAN’S CENTURY LIKE A CHILD 🫶
PURE, UNFILTERED EMOTION — FRIENDSHIP AT ITS BEST 💙🔥
Image Credit: Jio Hotstar#indvsnz pic.twitter.com/yCC8Jm3SnH
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) January 31, 2026
MS Dhoni stood by Ishan Kishan when he was dropped from the Indian team. They spent long hours together at the JSCA—quiet support, real guidance.
You won’t see Dhoni posting about it or taking credit like some ex-cricketers.
One day, Ishan will speak about it himself.⁰That’s… pic.twitter.com/nSROSC3EK8— Swaasthi (@swaasthi) January 31, 2026
Later, India did get an early breakthrough but Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra scored some quick runs in the powerplay overs. Allen was eventually out for 80 off 38 after being caught by Rinku Singh at long on off Axar Patel.
