After 785 days away from international cricket, Ishan Kishan made a highly anticipated return to the Indian side in the first T20I against New Zealand at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Though his innings was brief, Kishan’s attacking mindset was on full display early before he was dismissed cheaply as India chased a competitive New Zealand total. The match was the first of a five-match T20I series ahead of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
Kishan included in playing XI
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first in a night match at Nagpur, with India naming Kishan at No. 3 in the absence of Tilak Varma. After India’s openers gave a solid start, Kishan walked in early in the chase with the score at 18/1 in the second over.
Aggressive first act
Kishan wasted no time asserting himself. On his very first ball, he launched an attacking boundary off New Zealand bowler Kyle Jamieson, timing a lofted drive through the off side to get India moving. His early aggression reaffirmed his value as a power-hitter at the top of the order, bringing much-needed momentum in the powerplay phase.
Dismissal while trying to swing
However, Kishan’s stay was short-lived. After scoring 8 runs off 5 balls, he attempted another lofted stroke against Jacob Duffy but failed to find the middle of the bat, resulting in a catch and his dismissal as India stood at 27/2 in the third over.
A brief but promising cameo
While the scorecard shows only a single-digit contribution, Kishan’s intention and shot selection, particularly the cleanly struck boundary off his first delivery, hinted at the aggression selectors value in T20 cricket. Despite not converting his return into a substantial score, his approach was in line with his reputation as an attacking batter who can score quickly and change the course of a chase.
Context and future prospects
Kishan’s inclusion in the playing XI comes at an important moment as India look to fine-tune their lineup before the T20 World Cup. His experience and power-hitting ability remain assets, and even in a short outing, his intent will be encouraging for team management. India will look to stabilize and build on their innings after his departure, with the series offering Kishan additional chances to stake his claim for consistent selection.
