After the conclusion of the second T20I against the New Zealand National Cricket Team, the India National Cricket Team skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, openly stated that he was angry at his teammate, Ishan Kishan.
Suryakumar Yadav said that he was angry at Ishan Kishan because the returning wicketkeeper-batsman didn’t give him a strike during the powerplay when India were chasing the target.
I don’t know what Ishan had for lunch in the afternoon – Suryakumar Yadav
Ishan Kishan is currently having the time of his life, as after a shock T20 World Cup 2026 selection, he also got to feature in the India Playing XI against New Zealand, thanks to the injury suffered by Tilak Varma.
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He was unable to make the most of the opportunity he got in the first game, but in the second T20I in Raipur, Ishan Kishan took the Kiwi bowlers to the cleaners.
Chasing 209 runs, India were reduced to 6 for 2, and that’s when Ishan Kishan launched a brutal counterattack and blasted 76 runs off 32 balls, with 11 fours and 4 sixes.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Suryakumar Yadav lavished rich praise on the youngster and said:
“(is this the way India are going to play?) 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 for 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.”
I was angry he didn’t give me strike in the powerplay – Suryakumar Yadav on Ishan Kishan
The India T20I skipper further dropped a cheeky remark on Ishan Kishan, saying that the wicketkeeper-batsman left him angry by not giving a strike in the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav said:
“(had the best seat in the house) I was angry he didn’t give me a strike in the powerplay, but that’s okay. I had some time, played eight or ten balls, and I knew that later on, when I had time, I could cover it up.
While talking about his 82-run knock, Suryakumar Yadav said he was always batting well in the nets and it was just about replicating that in matches. He said:
“(biggest plus – his own form) Absolutely. 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.
Yeah, I think it was an incredible effort – Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar also reserved special praise for his bowlers as they managed to restrict the BlackCaps to 208 despite plenty of dew around. He stated:
“(restricting them to 208 with dew around) Yeah, I think it was an incredible effort. When they were around 100 or 110 for 2, we thought it would be a 225 or 230 total, like what happened in Nagpur. But the way Kuldeep, Varun, and that one over from Dube bowled – I think all the bowlers chipped in and took responsibility at that stage. Restricting them to 208, was an incredible effort from the bowling unit.”
