India skipper Suryakumar Yadav cleared the air on why Ishan Kishan and not Sanju Samson kept wickets in the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Surya who hit his third fifty in the series suggested that the team had planned to divide the duties pre-series.
“I think both the keepers were playing since game one, as Tilak [Varma] was not available,” Suryakumar said. “So, we had decided before the series that three games will be kept by Sanju Samson and two games will be kept by Ishan. Ishan unfortunately missed the last game because of a niggle but he was anyway going to keep wickets in this match,” he added.
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜! 🏆#TeamIndia Captain Surya Kumar Yadav receives the @IDFCFIRSTBank T20I Series trophy from BCCI President Mr. Mithun Manhas 👏👏#INDvNZ | @MithunManhas | @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/6n2sP1D6TR
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2026
Ishan went all guns blazing in the final encounter after he smashed his maiden ton to help India post a mammoth 271/5 in 20 overs. Samson’s form has been under scrutiny in this series after he only managed 46 runs on five matches against the Kiwis.
Surya also gave an update about Tilak. “Tilak Verma…he has been shaping well. I heard he is playing 2 games in Bombay on the 2nd and the 4th. I think 2 games are enough. I spoke to him yesterday only. He has started batting, bowling, fielding and everything. So, hopefully, we should have him soon,” he said.
FIFER for Arshdeep Singh! 🫡
Terrific spell from the #TeamIndia pacer 👏👏
New Zealand lose their 8th wicket
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/Thau28CPuZ#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/gTkx3Eeip0
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2026
“I think Washy is also doing well. We spoke to both of them (Tilak and Washington) yesterday. Tilak is much better. Washy has almost started his bowling and batting. He is also looking good. Hopefully, we get him back soon,” he added.
🎥 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
India will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against USA in Mumbai.
Also Read: IND vs PAK, U19 World Cup 2026: Captains Skip Customary Handshake At The Toss
