Thiruvananthapuram: Ishan Kishan’s maiden T20I century powered India to a commanding 46-run win over New Zealand in the fifth T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium here, as the hosts signed off their series with a dominant all-round performance ahead of the T20 World Cup.
India posted a massive 271 for 5, their third-highest total in T20 internationals. Kishan led the charge with a blistering 103 off 42 balls. Suryakumar Yadav added 63, while Hardik Pandya chipped in with 42. The innings featured 23 sixes, the joint-most by India in a T20I.
India had a slow start after losing both openers early. They managed just 54 runs in the powerplay. Kishan and Suryakumar then took control of the innings. The duo stitched a 137-run stand in just 58 balls and changed the momentum completely.
Kishan went into overdrive after the ninth over. He smashed 77 runs off his final 23 deliveries and brought up his hundred in just 42 balls. He took on Mitchell Santner and the New Zealand quicks with ease. Suryakumar also looked sharp, especially with his straight hits against pace.
Chasing 272, New Zealand began with intent. Finn Allen returned to international cricket with a fluent 80 off 38 balls. He added 100 runs with Rachin Ravindra, giving the visitors brief hope.
India struck back through Axar Patel, who removed Allen and Glenn Phillips in quick succession. Arshdeep Singh then turned the game decisively. After an expensive start, he finished with figures of 5 for 51, his first five-wicket haul in T20Is.
Axar supported well with three wickets, as New Zealand folded for 225. The margin could have been wider had India not used part-time bowlers at the end.
The win marked a strong return to full strength for India after their defeat in Visakhapatnam and served as a timely boost ahead of the T20 World Cup.
