In a historic night at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 12, 2026, Ishan Kishan cemented his comeback with a “masterclass” performance against Namibia. The left-hander blazed 61 runs off just 24 balls, becoming the first-ever Indian wicketkeeper to score a half-century in T20 World Cup history.
His explosive start propelled India to 209/9, eventually securing a dominant 93-run victory.
Beyond the boundaries, it is Kishan’s personal evolution that has the cricket world talking. After two years on the sidelines, the 27-year-old credits a shift in maturity for his recent purple patch.
Speaking after the game, Kishan revealed a more disciplined approach to his daily life. “I think I’m a changed man now, to be honest. I don’t get into it too much but I do enjoy jokes and everything. Earlier, I used to do it 24×7, but now it’s just 2-3 hours in a day,” he admitted.
Under the guidance of coach Gautam Gambhir, Kishan has prioritized his craft over his former role as the team’s full-time prankster.
“I am just focusing more on batting and my wicket-keeping, which is going to help the team and myself. Everything else is secondary, so I am not just always joking, especially under Gauti bhai,” Kishan explained.
Kishan explained. This new “method to the madness” was evident in his innings, where he balanced aggression with compromise. As he put it, “I do take singles as well and do defend the good balls. I’m just trying to be calm on the pitch.”
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