NEW DELHI: Ishan Kishan marked his return to the Indian setup in emphatic fashion, blasting a breathtaking 76 off just 32 deliveries as India stormed to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in Raipur on Friday.
Leading the charge alongside him, captain Suryakumar Yadav ended a long wait for a half-century, bringing up his first fifty in 23 innings, as India cruised to the target with ease. The commanding chase handed the hosts a 2-0 advantage in the five-match T20I series.
Kishan, back in the side after a gap of more than two years, went berserk from ball one and ended with 11 fours and four sizzling sixes.
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Suryakumar lavished praise on Kishan for his stupendous knock, saying he had never seen anyone dominate a pressure situation in such fashion.
"I don't know what Ishan had for lunch in the afternoon or what pre-workout he had before the game, but I've never seen anyone bat at 6/2 in that manner and still end the powerplay around 67 or 70. I thought it was incredible.
"Chasing 200 or 210, this is what we want from batters - to go out there, express themselves, be happy in their own space. And that's exactly what he did today."
In fact, Surya jokingly said that he was "angry" with Kishan for not giving him a strike during powerplay.
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"I was angry he didn't give me a strike in the powerplay, but that's okay. I had some time, played eight or 10 balls, and I knew that later on, when I had time, I could cover it up."
Having got his first half-century after 23 innings, Surya did look like a relieved man.
"As I've said before, I was batting really well in the nets. Everything I did back home over the last two or three weeks helped. I got a good break to spend time with my family and friends, had good practice sessions, and I'm really enjoying what's happening right now."
