India witnessed a special night as Ishan Kishan produced one of his finest T20I knocks, scoring a brilliant maiden T20I century against New Zealand. The left-handed batter played with fearless intent and clean power, turning the final match of the series into a batting spectacle.
The landmark innings came on Saturday, 31 January 2026, during the 5th T20I of the New Zealand tour of India at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, where India won the toss and opted to bat first.
Kishan’s Knock That Changed the Game
Walking in at number three after early wickets, Kishan took charge from the start. He reached his hundred in just 42 balls, finishing with 103 runs, including 6 fours and 10 sixes, at a staggering strike rate of 245.24. His aggressive approach never allowed the New Zealand bowlers to settle.
What stood out was his dominance against spin in the middle overs and his calm finishing touch at the death. Kishan brought up his century in style with back-to-back sixes, drawing loud cheers from the packed Thiruvananthapuram crowd.
Record Partnership with Suryakumar Yadav
Kishan stitched a crucial 137-run partnership for the third wicket with Suryakumar Yadav, who also played a blazing knock of 63 off 30 balls. This stand is now the second-highest partnership for any wicket between India and New Zealand in T20Is, giving India a rock-solid platform for a massive total.
India raced to 232/3 in just 17.1 overs, scoring at a run rate of 13.51, with Hardik Pandya adding late fireworks.
Key Stats from Ishan Kishan’s Century
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs | 103 |
| Balls Faced | 42 |
| Fours / Sixes | 6 / 10 |
| Strike Rate | 245.24 |
| Match | IND vs NZ, 5th T20I |
| Venue | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Date | 31 January 2026 |
This innings holds extra importance as it is Ishan Kishan’s first-ever T20I hundred, coming at a crucial time ahead of the upcoming global tournaments. After already owning a famous ODI double century against New Zealand, Kishan has now achieved a rare feat by scoring centuries against the same opponent in different international formats.
With this knock, Kishan has sent a strong message about his form, confidence, and match-winning ability, making this century one of the most talked-about moments of India’s 2026 home season.
