Ishan Kishan’s Historic Ton Seals Series Victory
Ishan Kishan delivered a stunning maiden T20 international century, smashing 103 runs off just 43 balls, while Arshdeep Singh claimed a five-wicket haul to propel India to a commanding 46-run victory over New Zealand in the T20 series finale. The win clinched the five-match series 4-1 for the top-ranked Indian team.
Opting to bat first in Thiruvananthapuram, India racked up an imposing 271-5, setting a challenging target ahead of their T20 World Cup defense. Kishan’s explosive innings featured six fours and 10 sixes, dominating the New Zealand bowling attack and turning the game in India’s favor.
India’s Batting Fireworks
The innings started with a setback as opener Sanju Samson fell for 6, but Kishan steadied the ship with a masterful 137-run third-wicket stand alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 63. Kishan unleashed fury on leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, plundering four boundaries and two maximums in a costly 12th over worth 29 runs.
Suryakumar notched his third half-century of the series with back-to-back sixes before spinner Mitchell Santner dismissed him stumped. Undeterred, Kishan reached his landmark hundred off 42 balls with a towering six, celebrating amid cheers from the crowd and teammates. He survived a dropped catch on 84 by Glenn Phillips in the deep before Jacob Duffy ended his stay.
Hardik Pandya then accelerated with 42 off 17 balls, helping India blast 169 runs in the final 10 overs to post their mammoth total.
New Zealand’s Chase Falls Short
New Zealand started strongly with opener Finn Allen blasting 80 off 38 balls, forming a 100-run second-wicket partnership with Rachin Ravindra. However, Arshdeep Singh turned the tide, securing his first five-wicket haul in T20 internationals with figures of 5-51.
After a slow start where Arshdeep conceded 40 runs for one wicket in his opening two overs, he struck back decisively with two wickets in one over, removing Ravindra for 30 and captain Santner for a duck. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel chipped in with three wickets to dismantle the middle order.
Ish Sodhi fought valiantly with 33 off 15 balls, but New Zealand crumbled to 225 all out in 19.4 overs, unable to match India’s firepower.
India kicks off their T20 World Cup campaign next Saturday against the United States in Mumbai, carrying momentum from this dominant performance.
