In Sanju Samson's hometown, Ishan Kishan makes statement with 42-ball hundred

IND vs NZ: Ishan Kishan scored his spectacular maiden T20I century against New Zealand during the fifth T20I in Thiruvananthapuram. He smashed six fours and ten sixes in his innings to help India post 271/5 in their 20 overs.

Ishan Kishan continued his golden run since making his comeback to Team India as he slammed his maiden T20I century in the fifth match against New Zealand on Saturday, January 31, at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Kishan took just 42 balls to reach the landmark, getting there with successive sixes off Mitchell Santner.

The southpaw struck six fours and ten sixes during his swashbuckling innings, which turned the New Zealand fielders into mere spectators. It was a statement knock from Kishan in India’s final T20I ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a performance that almost confirmed his place in the playing XI for the marquee event.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I Updates

What a way to get to your maiden T20I century!And look what it means to Ishan KishanUpdates https://t.co/AwZfWUTBGi#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/adZg0TJTvK

Kishan walked out to bat inside the powerplay after local boy Sanju Samson left his fans disappointed, having been dismissed cheaply for 6 (6). He took four deliveries to get off the mark, before smashing his first boundary on the fifth ball against Lockie Ferguson and following it up with a maximum.

Kishan then launched a fierce onslaught against Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner in the middle overs, treating the Kiwi spinners with utter disdain. He brought up his eighth half-century off just 28 deliveries, obliterating Sodhi in particular, who was hammered for six boundaries — four fours and two sixes — in his third over.