During the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and Namibia on February 12, Ishan Kishan delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting. With his usual opening partner Abhishek Sharma sidelined, the responsibility of providing a quick start fell squarely on the southpaw's shoulders. While Sanju Samson contributed a brief but fiery cameo of 22 runs, including three sixes and a four, his departure at the end of the second over left Kishan to anchor the onslaught.
Ishan Kishan belts historic 24-ball 61 against Namibia
Kishan found his rhythm in the third over, picking up consecutive boundaries off JJ Smit. He continued to manipulate the field with clinical precision over the next two overs before launching a full-scale assault in the final over of the powerplay. Facing Smit once again, the left-hander turned the game into a highlight reel, following an initial dot ball with four consecutive, towering sixes.
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The explosive sequence concluded with a boundary on the final ball of the powerplay, allowing Kishan to reach a sensational half-century in just 20 deliveries. His dominance didn't end there; he immediately took on Max Heingo in the following over, dispatching him for a six and a four to complete a rare streak of seven consecutive boundaries. This blistering performance not only dismantled the Namibian bowling attack but also solidified India’s commanding position early in the match.
Kishan’s sensational innings finally drew to a close in the eighth over, courtesy of a clever piece of bowling from Namibia’s captain, Gerhard Erasmus. Attempting to maintain his aggressive momentum against a flatter delivery, Kishan mistimed his shot, sending the ball directly into the hands of the fielder stationed at deep mid-wicket.
India post a formidable total of 209/9
The opener walked back to the pavilion having hammered 61 runs off just 24 deliveries, a knock decorated with four towering sixes and five boundaries. In doing so, Kishan etched his name into the record books as the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a half-century in the T20 World Cup. He also now holds the record for the highest individual score by an Indian wicketkeeper in the tournament’s history, surpassing the previous benchmark set by MS Dhoni.
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Following the wickets of Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, the responsibility of finishing the innings fell to Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. As the final phase of the innings approached, the onus was on this powerful duo to navigate the remaining overs and guide India to a powerful total of 209/9.