India defeated Namibia to win their second consecutive match in the T20 World Cup 2026 and finish at the top of Group A. Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Varun Chakravarthy played key roles in India's victory. Ishan scored 61 runs, and Hardik scored 52, while Varun took three wickets. However, outside the match, Ishan Kishan made a statement that surprised everyone. Let's find out the full story...
Indeed, Team India's explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan is in the news these days not only for his shots but also for his thinking. After scoring a stormy half-century against Namibia, he admitted that the ups and downs of his career have made him more mature. Now, his focus is more on responsibility than fun.
Change in the picture after the return
Since returning to the team last month, Ishan has not looked back. His consistently impressive performances have made him the first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in the playing XI. His aggressive batting, quick starts, and confidence are giving the team new energy.
A Storm Against Namibia
In Thursday night's match, the left-handed batsman smashed 61 runs in just 24 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes. His innings helped India post 86 runs in the powerplay, the team's highest powerplay score in T20 World Cup history. In the absence of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan took charge and attacked the bowlers.
"I've changed now."
When asked after the match if he had returned to his old carefree demeanor, Ishan replied bluntly, "No, to be honest, I've changed. I still like to joke around, and I do, but I used to joke around 24 hours a day; now I only do it for two or three hours." His statement clearly shows that he is now looking at his career from a different perspective.
What's Important for the Team
Ishan also stated that his priorities are clear now. He said, "I'm focusing more on batting and wicketkeeping, which will help the team and me. Everything else is secondary, so I don't joke around all the time, especially with Gauti Bhai around." He made this comment in a light-hearted manner, but the message was serious: discipline and focus.
Big shots, but a simple plan
Against Namibia, he hit four sixes in an over bowled by JJ Smit. However, Ishan says there hasn't been any magical change in his batting. He smiled and said, "I take singles and defend good balls." He further explained, "I'm just trying to stay calm at the crease, watch the ball, and play the shots I'm good at. Sometimes, in international cricket, excitement leads to wrong shots. I'm trying to eliminate those moments from my life."
Why be afraid of dot balls?
Ishan believes he's working on his mental balance more than extra effort or new training. He said, "I'm not thinking too much about batting." Just watch the ball and stay calm, that's the effort." In modern T20, there's pressure to score runs off every ball, but Ishan disagrees. He said, "Two or three dot balls shouldn't matter. Our batsmen have the ability to hit a six at any time. Two sixes in two balls covers everything. Therefore, it's important to wait for the right moment; it's better than throwing away your wicket unnecessarily."
A New Sign of Maturity
Ishan Kishan's words were both confident and experienced. The player once known for his playfulness is now talking about restraint, patience, and match situations. This change is perhaps what's making him consistently better.
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