During the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand on Sunday, March 8th, an unexpected demand emerged from the crowd at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. As India neared victory, fans were heard specifically asking for wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan to bowl. Kishan had already made a significant impact with the bat in the first innings, helping the Men in Blue set a formidable total of 255 for 5 in 20 overs.
However, the supporters’ request was not granted. Instead, Abhishek Sharma bowled the 19th over. On the final delivery of that over, Jacob Duffy hit the ball high into the air, leading to a straightforward catch by Tilak Varma. This dismissal led to the BlackCaps being bowled out for just 159 runs, securing a dominant 96-run victory for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side.
Regarding Kishan’s contribution with the bat, the left-hander came in at No. 3 after Abhishek Sharma had given India a blistering start with his 21-ball 52. Ishan ensured the momentum continued unabated, scoring a dynamic 54 runs off just 25 balls, an innings that included four fours and an equal number of sixes. He also played a crucial role in a 105-run partnership with Sanju Samson, who scored 89 off 46 balls.
Throughout the tournament, Kishan’s aggressive batting had been a vital asset for the Indian team. His total of 317 runs in the global event proved indispensable, making him the second-highest run-scorer for the champions and the fourth-highest overall. The Patna-born cricketer registered three half-centuries during the prestigious competition.
Kishan’s return to the Indian squad is particularly inspiring. Before rejoining the T20I team in January of this year, he had been absent for more than two years. Nevertheless, his consistent performances with the bat and strong showings in domestic cricket—including being the top-scorer during Jharkhand’s title-winning campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy—were instrumental in the selectors’ decision to recall him for a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup journey.
